Don’t Discount These Easy Car Repairs

It may be easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind, especially when your schedule is hectic and there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done. If you own a vehicle, even if you only drive it a couple of times a week, you don’t want to forget about it, especially when it comes to some easy fixes that can make a big difference in its safety and performance. At McCluskey Chevrolet, we see many vehicles come through our service center that warrant costly repairs that could have been avoided. Thankfully, we can help as we showcase top-of-the-line GM parts and highly experienced service professionals to get you moving in the right direction. If you want to avoid an expensive repair, you’ll want to pay attention to some of these quick fixes that can end up saving you more money than you realize.

Headlamps, Taillamps, & Brake Lights

Replacing your lighting elements is pretty straightforward and typically only requires a screwdriver and a pack of replacement bulbs. Typical headlamp and taillamp bulbs cost about $20 each, and you can get a pack of brake light replacement bulbs for around $25, depending on what type of bulbs your car requires. It’s important to ensure that your vehicle’s lights are working properly because when they aren’t, there’s a host of problems that can pop up. If your headlamps are burnt out, you run the risk of not being able to see as well at night or during inclement weather, and if you’ve ever driven behind someone with their brake lights out, you know how dangerous that can be, not only for them but also for others traveling around them. If you don’t see the person in front of you brake, you may not brake, resulting in rear-ending that person and causing some major damage.

If you’re driving without brake lights and someone rear-ends you on the road, you’re looking at some pretty hefty repairs, depending on the level of damage. Average rear-end collision repairs can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $2,500 or more, not to mention medical costs from any injuries sustained from the crash. Another thing you’ll also have to factor in is getting pulled over for a light being burnt out. Typically, the officer will give you a warning, but if you get stopped again without taking care of the issue, this can result in a ticket being issued. To think that all of these expenses could have been avoided with a simple $25 pack of bulbs makes this easy fix a no-brainer.

The Battery

Your car battery has a big job to do, starting your car and operating all of its electrical components. When it’s not working, your car isn’t working, which can lead to you being stranded on the side of the road, late for work, and undeniably frustrated. The battery is one of the most common wearable parts on your vehicle and should be frequently tested to ensure its ability to do its job. Typical batteries last on average four to six years, depending on how frequently you travel, and they range between $100-$200+, depending on the type of battery you require. High-performance batteries may cost more, but they may also give you more battery life, which makes them worth the investment.

When you fail to replace your battery, you run the risk of not being able to start your vehicle and needing a jump from someone else. If you can’t find someone to jump your car, you’ll need to call for a tow truck, which can cost over $100. However, if you’re stranded a good distance from your destination, you could end up paying several hundred dollars to have your car towed. Again, this could be avoided by a simple battery replacement that costs you a fraction of the price of a tow truck.

The Engine Air Filter

Some drivers get a little nervous about reaching under the hood and fiddling with any of their vehicle’s parts, but an engine air filter is really quite simple to replace. It’s an important component of your engine, as it filters debris during your travels so that it doesn’t end up getting into your engine’s oil. Your oil helps lubricate the engine’s parts so that your vehicle performs at its best. When you fail to change your engine air filter, your oil gets dirty and becomes unable to perform its duties, risking damage to your engine. In some instances, the damage is so intense that a new engine is needed, which can run anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000 or more, depending on the type of engine you require.

Fortunately, this can all be avoided with a replacement engine air filter, which can cost you as little as $15. As we mentioned earlier, replacing this yourself is easy. All you have to do is ensure your car is turned off, open up the hood, and release the latch on the air filter box. If your box has screws, grab a screwdriver and unscrew the box. Then, carefully pull out the old filter and replace it with the new filter. The entire process takes under five minutes, and you don’t need to be an experienced mechanic in order to do this.

Windshield Wipers

Being able to see properly during inclement weather is essential for your safety and the safety of others on the road. This is why your windshield wipers should not be ignored. Your wipers have an important job to do, cleaning rain and snow from your windshield so that you can see the road ahead. Since they’re used frequently, they tend to wear out more often than other parts of your car and warrant a replacement about once a year. Windshield wiper blades vary in price, but typical replacement blades can cost you under $20 and can save you hundreds.

When you can’t see in front of you, you risk getting into an accident, which can result in thousands of dollars to fix repairs, and in worst-case scenarios, serious injuries to yourself and others. Crashes can be fatal, and when you can’t see due to your windshield wipers not working properly, you put yourself and others at risk. So, do yourself a favor and run to the nearest automotive store, service center, or even online, and put a few dollars toward a new set of wipers to ensure you’re traveling as safely as possible.

Quick-to-Fix Auto Repairs

All of these repairs take under ten minutes to complete, cost as low as $10, and can save you more than you realize. Driving a vehicle that needs replacement parts means potentially getting into an accident, injuring yourself or others, and overspending to remedy the issue. When you stay on top of your vehicle’s parts, you’ll be able to travel with assurance. Remember, all it takes is a brake light being out for someone to run into you from behind, your battery dying on the side of the highway to spend over $100 for a tow truck, and a bad engine air filter to ruin your engine. Neglecting these issues isn’t worth the consequences.

At McCluskey Chevrolet, we want to see our Cincinnati area drivers traveling safely and confidently, and it all starts with quality parts. From wiper blades to air filters, lighting elements to batteries, our team can help you keep your car safe, as well as keep more money in your pocket. Don’t forget about your vehicle, and don’t assume that you don’t need to change out parts every now and then. Just by taking a few minutes out of your day and spending just a few dollars, you have a better chance of avoiding a dangerous and costly situation during your travels.