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The importance of vehicle maintenance: saving money during economic uncertainty
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One thing most anyone can agree to these days is that we are living through economic uncertainty of historical proportion. The global financial system is collapsing, large corporations once viewed as “blue chip” investments are relying on federal bailout money for survival, the housing “bubble” has burst and unemployment is hitting close to home for virtually everyone. With all of this uncertainty, most households are scrutinizing every expense in an attempt to cut the fat from the family budget. It is in times like these that the importance of proper and timely vehicle maintenance is paramount. Simply put: Take good care of your vehicle and it will take good care of you!
Proper vehicle maintenance provides many benefits. Vehicles which are well-cared for operate more efficiently resulting in improved fuel economy, increased reliability, less-costly repairs and optimal performance, all of which save money in the long run. A well-maintained vehicle is also more enjoyable to drive and considerably safer to operate.
Though there are people that subscribe to the theory that a vehicle should be replaced every five years to avoid “money pit” syndrome, I challenge them to consider that taking on a new $400+ per month car payment every five years for the rest of their life is an even greater money pit! Maintenance and repairs, even with several $250~$300 repairs per year, is less expensive than a new car payment. According to Jeff Lehman, author of “the frugal Millionaires,” a person is much further ahead financially to buy a used vehicle and maintain it well for many years.
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In the coming weeks, I will write a weekly series about vehicle maintenance that will help you get the most from your vehicle so it treats you well for many years. All aspects of automotive maintenance will be touched upon and there will be tips for do-it-yourself (DIY) maintenance, including things to avoid, how to perform DIY maintenance at home safely, how to screen and select a good repair shop when you can’t DIY, and more. Based upon reader feedback and comments, we can go deeper into individual topics or specifics of a particular maintenance item or repair. My goal is to create an educated reader-base that understands the importance of proper vehicle maintenance. I also hope to help minimize the anxiety many people feel when they are faced with an automotive servicing need
Roll Into Summer
Time to roll down the windows and hit the road.
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