5 Tips for How Routine Vehicle Maintenance Can Save You Money on Your Spring/Summer Road Trip

Are you looking forward to your summer road trip but aren’t sure it’s affordable this year?

You’re not alone.

Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive, a trusted local garage in Tyler, Texas, understands that as gas and food prices go up, a summer vacation road trip might seem unattainable.

But it doesn’t have to be.

Saving money in creative ways can mean your family car trip or solo road adventure is possible after all!

Here are five tips for ways routine vehicle maintenance can save you money and help make your summer road trip plans affordable:

1. Preventative Maintenance!

Catch issues early before they become Big Problems.

Here are a few examples of potential problem areas you should have checked before you hit the road:

• Make sure there’s enough air in your tires to avoid a flat or blowout on the highway. If something like that does occur, talk to your local car repair shop about whether they offer roadside assistance and/or evening and weekend assistance. Just in case.

• Make sure your filters are clean. Dirty filters can mean your car, truck, or SUV won’t run as efficiently. When car filters get dirty, there isn’t enough air getting to the engine, which can cause bigger problems later.

• Have an oil change. Running your car out of oil could ruin the engine!

• Make sure your vents and heat/air conditioner are working properly. You don’t want to get out on the open road on a hot summer day and realize the AC isn’t working.

This kind of preventative maintenance helps ensure your vehicle is always running at its’ best capacity. If you let your oil, or other fluids, run low, you can do irreparable and very expensive damage to your engine. Bringing your car or truck to your trusted local mechanic for timely oil changes and tune-ups helps your car run at its best. In addition, an experienced mechanic will notice other potential problems. This way, you can get them fixed right away, avoiding an expensive and potentially dangerous breakdown on the road.

2. Gas Mileage—Save Money at the Gas Pump

The bottom line is, if your car is running better, then it will get better mileage. If your engine is running poorly because of clogged filters, low fluid levels, low oil, etc., you will see that reflected in how much you pay for gas.

If your car is in tip-top condition, it will run better and get better gas mileage, meaning you’ll save money by needing to fill your vehicle less often.

Spark plugs can especially be culprits when it comes to fuel economy. Spark plugs that aren’t working properly can make your engine run poorly, meaning your fuel economy is dropping. Routine vehicle maintenance doesn’t just help you avoid a breakdown, it also helps save money on gas.

3. Avoid Expensive Repairs on the Road

As too many of us have discovered the hard way, repairs on the road are expensive.Taking your car, truck, or SUV into your local trusted mechanic for thorough maintenance work before taking it on the road can save you a boatload on costly potential roadside repairs. There’s the cost of towing and the price of repairs in a place away from your hometown. Plus, what happens if the mechanics need to replace a part they don’t have? Then you’ll have to wait for them to order it, which could really put a damper on your road trip plans and schedule.

By making sure your vehicle is in top condition before your trip, you’ll help make sure you don’t need pricey help after a breakdown.

4. Go Beyond the Oil Change

Tell your mechanic your plan for a road trip and that you’d like to give your vehicle an extra thorough inspection before you head out. You want to make sure your car is in the best possible shape before the long drive.

Here are a few examples to make sure they are being checked:

• All the Fluids— oil, transmission, coolant, brake, power steering, and windshield washer.
• Make sure your tires are rotated, balanced, and filled to the correct pressure.
• If you have a trusted road trip vehicle that’s put on some miles recently, you might need to have your transmission flushed.
• Check the quality of your vehicle’s vents.
• Checklist: brakes, spark plugs, air filters, battery.

5. Extend the Life of your Vehicle

Routine preventative maintenance doesn’t just benefit your car, truck, or SUV on a road trip. It also saves you money by extending the lifespan of your vehicle. If your vehicle is running well longer, it means you won’t need to spend extra money on a new car any time soon.

Make sure your car is in the best working condition to save yourself money on summer road trips and beyond.

Call your local trusted mechanic today, and make an appointment to get your car serviced before hitting the open road.