Major car repairs: tips to significantly reduce your auto repair costs

Buying a car, whether new or used, is not the end of the road. Throughout its use, you must budget for regular maintenance and repairs. It’s essential to inform yourself about the major repairs in terms of costs and some tips to avoid potential serious problems that may arise. Being proactive will save you many problems and costly expenses.

Engine or cylinder replacement

Engine replacement tops the list of the most expensive automotive repairs. Indeed, when the engine fails, nothing else can be done except repair or replacement, which can cost thousands of dollars. Therefore, when purchasing a used car, consult a professional to assess the engine’s condition. After purchase, perform necessary revisions. Also, ensure regular engine maintenance and adopt good driving habits such as:

• Check the engine coolant level frequently (always wait for the engine to cool down to avoid serious burns) at least once a month.
• Check the radiator’s proper functioning every morning.
• Monitor the temperature gauge visible on the dashboard. The thermostat-shaped gauge indicates the engine temperature. In case of overheating, turn off the engine and let it cool for about thirty minutes.
• Regularly change engine oil.

Transmission (automobile)

The transmission controls the power delivered to the wheels and thus controls the car’s speed. While sturdy and durable if well-maintained, transmission repairs can be costly. Therefore, check the transmission fluids that lubricate the gearbox, and be a temperate and non-aggressive driver (avoid accelerating and braking abruptly on a whim).

Suspension replacement

Your vehicle’s suspension allows the car to stay off the ground and absorb shocks. Its failure also makes it difficult to steer the wheel easily. Composed of several small parts, its complete replacement is expensive. However, during regular maintenance, you will be required to replace certain parts that have a low cost compared to a complete replacement.

Head gasket

When you drive your car, there’s a special fluid circulating inside the engine to prevent it from overheating. Imagine that this fluid is like cool water flowing through the engine to keep it at the right temperature. The “head gasket” is a barrier between different important parts of the engine. It ensures that everything remains tightly closed and sealed inside the engine. Thus, the head gasket prevents liquids from mixing where they shouldn’t. Damage to the head gasket results in engine damage. As a warning sign, you may observe coolant leaking under the exhaust manifold.

Fuel pump

It’s the fuel pump that delivers gasoline to the carburetor. Damage to the fuel pump makes acceleration difficult and, most of the time, significantly increases the vehicle’s fuel consumption.

Camshaft

Inside a vehicle’s engine, there are small doors or valves called “valves.” The valves let fuel and air in and let exhaust gas out. At the end of the valves, there’s the camshaft. The camshaft opens and closes the valves. It is located behind the engine cylinders, making its replacement complex and difficult. Such an operation therefore generates a high cost.

The repairs listed above, due to their complexity, are expensive. However, there are simple gestures and habits you can adopt to prevent damage to your engine and car. Among these habits, without being exhaustive:

• When starting, always warm up the vehicle’s engine before accelerating. The gauge should move away from the “cold” position.
• Perform regular oil changes. Regular oil changes protect your engine and cylinders.
• Have a dedicated mechanic who knows your car well. Several mechanics for each breakdown or maintenance is not ideal.