Do you have any genuine tricks for keeping/maintaining a car that are frugal?
Could be anything from getting a deal on a car wash, or keeping the interior nice, or keeping the engine or tires or anything really in good order.
Also, are there any things you used to be able to do frugally with your car which has changed to be more expensive–maybe due to auto manufacturers changing how cars are designed?
(I’m asking this so if something used to be frugal but isn’t now, people speak up about it.)
Stay on top of changing your fluids. Oil changes are a lot cheaper than a new engine (plus labor) or any other big component of your car, like transmission or radiator. Change your engine oil (about every 5K miles), transmission fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid (every 3-6 years), diff fluid (if you have a differential), transfer case fluid (if you have a transfer case), and power steering fluid (if it’s hydraulic based)
If you live in a salty area (i.e. a place that snows a lot), learn how to apply Fluid Film or any oil-based thin film for rust prevention under your car. It’ll keep the car going for a lot longer and fluid film is a lot cheaper than a new sub frame or structural component of your car
Service manuals from the manufacturers are available for subscription, but if you know where to find them, I’d be curious to see, because my search engine skills have gotten worse as time has progressed. I think Toyota and Honda sells their subscription for 2 days of access for $20 and you should be able to download the relevant PDFs you want
As for appearances for you car, don’t eat or really keep anything in your car, unless it is for the car and its emergency kit. So I try to take everything out of the car with me if my car doesn’t need it like clothes, groceries, or anything like that. This makes car break-ins less likely to occur, and if it does, it’s more of a bad day or two (depending on your skillset/money you have) instead of a gut-wrenching moment when you realize they stole a sentimental valuable. Don’t park under trees to avoid leaves or tree sap. Neither under power lines because of bird poo
Remember that cars are depreciating tools to get you from point A to point B. The most important part of it is that it’s mechanically sound and the safety features for it work. The next part is that it blows cold AC and hot air for heat. Anything beyond that is a bonus
To be honest, in most cars filter and fluid changing—especially oil—yourself is super easy and super quick.
Seriously. If you’re reading this and don’t do it yourself…
Tools needed: One spanner for one bolt. Maybe two if your oil filter has a lid. Oil pan or plastic bowl or even some icecream tubs to catch oil. Everything else is hands.
There. In 10-15 mins you just did a minor service for a few bucks. While there, or if you’re done and bored waiting for the oil to finish draining into the pan, may as well top off coolant, washer fluid, powersteering fluid, and brake fluid. They’re all just lids you unscrew and pour to a line.
While other fluids like transmission and differential are also easy, I can understand if that’s going into intimidating territory for some as they’re usually under the car and more awkward than unscrewing the oil plug. Fortunately, these don’t need to be done anywhere near as regularly. But look into those on YT too and you may be surprised just how easy they are.
You will save a lot of money and also guarantee things were actually done 👍
Serious question: Where do you dispose of the used oil?
Once you’ve poured in the new oil, pour the old oil into the empty container, or an extra one you’ve bought just for old oil. Your local waste station/refuse tip will take it, some mechanic shops do too. There’s a small fee on weight as they will process contaminants out and what’s left is recycled for plenty of stuff.
I usually unload once a year or so when I’ve got 2-3 containers piling up. It’s as simple as pouring it out into their big tanks and recycling the containers there or taking them home to use again.
If you’re in the US most auto parts stores will take it for free, I know for sure that Autozone and Advance Auto do.