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Knowing the average costs of car maintenance can help you save for future repairs. According to a 2017 AAA cost of ownership study, the average cost for maintaining a new car is $1,186 per year.
That number factors in the recommended maintenance for your car, including tire replacement and extended warranty costs. According to this average, you should plan roughly $100 per month for maintenance.
Maintenance or repair | Average cost | When to repair |
---|---|---|
Oil and filter changes | $20–$100 | Every 5,000 to 7,000 miles |
Tire rotation | $20–$50 | Every 3,000 to 7,000 miles |
Tire replacement | $50–$300 per tire | At 4/32” tread, about 25,000 to 50,000 miles |
Brake pad replacement | $100–$350 | Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles |
Brake fluid flush | $70–$100 | About every 3 years or 24,000 miles |
Prepare for the most common winter repairs
Save on future maintenance by comparing the cars that are the cheapest to fix and maintain.
Watch out for these cars and their high maintenance and repair costs.
In some cases, your car’s maintenance costs can influence your insurance premium. For example, if you own a standard model sedan, your insurance rates will likely be cheaper than a luxury sports car.
Insurance companies know that a luxury sports car will cost more to repair due to its specialized, imported parts, while standard sedans may have simple repairs with parts found all across the country.
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Your owner’s manual will give you guidelines on oil change intervals. While many cars can observe the standard interval of 7,500 miles or more, some vehicles will qualify for the more frequent “severe service” oil change interval. Severe service calls for an oil change every 3,000 miles.
The severe service interval is suggested if you do a lot of short trips in cold weather, extensive highway driving in hot weather, regular driving in heavy stop-and-go traffic, drive your car in dusty or dirty conditions, tow regularly, or tend to drive through mountainous or hilly terrain. If this sounds like your usage pattern, more frequent oil changes will prolong your engine’s life, decrease its wear, and improve its reliability.
Maintenance costs will differ between vehicles for a variety of reasons. Main factors that influence the cost include the type of repair, the vehicle’s make and model and the service provider.
There’s more than one way to cover car repairs. You’ll need to weigh the options based on your car and financial situation.
The downside is that your warranty will eventually run out and vehicle warranties don’t normally cover the cost of maintenance or wear and tear.
The coverage works similar to a warranty, covering certain repairs. And breakdown coverage can often include more repairs not covered by a warranty. You can also choose to extend or remove coverage at any time.
However, one downside is that the car dealer’s maintenance schedule might not align with manufacturer recommendations — and you might already be covered for certain maintenance with your car warranty.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to pay interest on any loan or credit charge, which can be pricey. It’s a good backup plan if you don’t have any other way to cover car repairs.
Car maintenance and repairs don’t have to take you by surprise. By knowing average costs and understanding your car’s maintenance schedule, you can prepare ahead of time to choose the best financing option for your budget.
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