KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — We spend a lot of money on maintaining our cars every year. AAA estimates the cost averages about $800 a car and that number goes up the more you drive.
So, we consulted AAA of Tennessee to help save money.
"So, let me start out by saying that maintaining a vehicle is always cheaper than repairing a vehicle. If you can afford to maintain it, you can do it on your schedule and you are less likely to get stranded on the side of the road," AAA Public Affairs Stephanie Milani said.
AAA says the three main reasons people call in for their services are a dead battery, a flat tire and getting locked out of your car. Two of those can be prevented with regular maintenance.
"So typically batteries will need to be replaced here in East Tennessee between every three and five years. The next thing is your tires. So if they are properly inflated, and they have enough tread on them, you're good to go. Your tires can actually wear out more quickly if they are either underinflated or overinflated. And you can check that yourself," Milani said.
Milani also recommends having a good relationship with your car mechanic. Find someone you trust who does good work to ensure you aren't wasting money on unnecessary work.
Between gas and oil changes and monthly payments and insurance—cars are expensive. Here are a few sneaky tips to save money.
Milani says to use top-tier gasoline. She says it cleans your engine as you drive helping your car's overall performance and you'll likely also get better gas mileage.
"It's about three cents more than you pay for gasoline that doesn't have those additives in it and is widely available. I looked online, there are almost 280 gas stations in Knoxville that sell this top-tier gasoline. They're going to be the places like Citgo, Shell, Marathon, Phillips 66. So it's going to be those branded gas stations that offer this detergent additives," Milani said.
Milani says to play with your insurance policy, your coverage, your deductible and to shop around.
"A lot of savings can be found if you shop around for insurance. Get a different quote, because you can sometimes find a different company who is willing to write your auto policy for a cheaper premium than with someone that you've had for years," Milani said.
You can also put away $50 a month that is dedicated solely to car maintenance and don't touch that money until you get your oil changed or your tires rotated. This will help your overall budget so there are no surprises.