Let's face it: auto upkeep can add up. But what if you could maintain your vehicle operating well with less cost? Turns out, a few good habits make a lot of difference. Here's how to save on car maintenance and repair expenditures while still riding worry-free.
Be Proactive: Small Steps, Big Savings
Regular oil changes, fluid top-ups, tire rotations, and following the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule can keep small issues from snowballing into expensive nightmares. Don’t wait until something breaks—nip it in the bud (especially when it comes to the check engine light – driving around with the check engine light can result in catalytic converter damage and need for catalytic converter replacement – a very expensive repair in California).
Find a Good Shop
Once you find a good auto care shop – stick with it. Quality matters, and so does ability to get in at a moment’s notice. If you are a regular customer, and you need something done Monday morning, your regular mechanic may juggle the schedule to fit you in. A random shop may or may not, and the results might not be what you expected. It’s important that the shop you choose offer OEM quality parts, and a warranty – at Diablo Auto Specialists we offer 36-month / 36,000 mile nationwide warranty. You should not accept anything less.
Drive Smarter, Not Harder
Repair costs are influenced by your driving habits, which may surprise you. Drive gently—avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking—and you’ll reduce wear on brakes, tires, and engine components. It also results in gasoline cost savings – and so does keeping tires properly inflated (and it makes the tires last longer).
Keep an Issues Notebook
At Diablo Auto Specialists our computers keep track of your visits and any diagnostics, services or repairs we perform. But sometimes you will notice symptoms that come and go – it’s good to write down the symptoms along with additional information – do the symptoms appear when you turn on the engine, do they only appear when the engine is still cold, do they manifest at low or high speeds – this information can help our nationally ASE-certified technicians to diagnose the problem more efficiently, which cuts down on diagnostic costs.
And when in doubt, call our Walnut Creek auto repair shop – our friendly service advisors will answer your questions, and if need be, will make an appointment to get your vehicle serviced or repaired.