How Much To Budget For Car Maintenance and Repairs

You know that sinking feeling when you see the “check engine” light illuminate your dashboard or hear strange noises coming from under your hood? That’s the dread of having to take your car to the shop and not knowing how you’ll pay for the repair .

National auto chains like Pep Boys, Midas and Firestone offer store credit cards because they know customers aren’t prepared to pay expensive repair bills. But going into debt isn’t the best money move.

You can’t just put off car maintenance until you have enough time to save either. And by the way, stop ignoring that check engine light.

“You need to maintain your car properly to help avoid breakdowns and failures that can be more expensive to fix,” said Michael Calkins, former manager of technical services for AAA. “If you take care of your car on a regular basis, you’ re less likely to experience an unexpected failure.”

Having a stash of cash saved up before you need to go to the auto shop relieves that financial anxiety. Here’s your guide to how — and how much — to budget for car maintenance and repairs.

Prepare for What Lies Ahead

If your car is not under warranty, all maintenance and repair costs fall to you. Even with a warranty, it’s likely you’ll still have to foot a few expenses, like oil changes or new tires.

Your vehicle’s owners’ manual — what Calkins calls “the least-read book in the Western world” — lays out how frequently you should get certain work done. If you don’t have your manual, check your car manufacturer’s website for a digital copy . That’s your primary guide to how much to budget for car maintenance.

When your car will need servicing depends on the make and model, plus other factors like how often you’re on the road and if you’re driving in rough conditions.

“The most common maintenance job is an oil filter change,” Calkins said. “A typical oil change price can range anywhere from $30 for a quick lube job with…