Nothing can throw a monkey wrench into your summer plans faster than a need for automotive repairs or maintenance.
Costs on the basics like oil changes and tune ups are bad enough, but if there’s something big that needs to be done, you might as well cancel vacation.
Patch wants to help!
That’s why we rolled out the contest. This week we’re giving away a $100 gift card one lucky winner can use to cover some of those automobile repair or maintenance costs that can sideline summer fun faster than an afternoon thunderstorm!
Entering our contest is easy, too! Just share your best tips for avoiding big auto repair bills or saving up for them. Post your best advice in the comments section on this story to be eligible for the drawing.
We’re taking entries from all 19 of Patch’s Florida sites, so we expect to hear some great ideas from you!
We’ll select one winner randomly from the comments submitted when this week’s contest closes on Friday, July 27, at noon. The winner will be notified directly and announced on the sites as quickly as possible.
We know you’re expecting our legal department to have some fine print you need to read. You’re right! Here it is:
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia who are 18 and older. * To enter, post a comment on this story.* All entries must be received by July 27, 2012, 12:00pm Eastern Time.* You may enter once.* 1 winner will be selected in a random drawing for each week’s drawing.* One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive the $100 gift card for Week One of the contest.* Click here for complete Official Rules.
So yes, in conclusion.... I attempt to fix things myself with the help of the Internet to save money in the long run.
Although the odo is approaching 185K I would not part with my vehicle. No problems. Oil changes every 3000 miles, rotate the tires every 6000 miles, follow the owner's manual for other general maintenance. I write down the mileage each time and REALLY keep track it. Coolant flush every five years on my car. It is also important to find a shop you can trust and really get to know your car and learn some basic mechanics yourself so you know if what they are telling you sounds "off the wall" or not. ALWAYS get a second opinion if someone tells you anything major is needed or maybe even a third opinion and get written estimates. You should never, never have to pay for a written estimate from a legitimate shop. Ask up front if they write free estimates; call on the phone and ask questions before you go in and get the name of the person your spoke with. Ask to speak with the manager if something doesn't sound "legit". Use name brand gas in your car, not "mystery gas" and use the octane the mfg of your car recommends. Many credit cards offer cents off per gallon. This means you will be paying about the same as "mystery gas" and it is so much better for your engine. Once you find a shop you really trust, stick with them and build a rapport. Many places accept competitors coupons also. Purchase a lifetime alignment contract for your car with a reputable shop (with a coupon if possible). Use it after each tire rotation. Good luck everyone!
Basically a car is a computer on wheels these days, so you are shooting blind on trouble shootoing and repair without a ODBC scanner. You can Google the code you get and find advice on every problem, usually specific to your model and year. I also bought a more expensive ODBC scanner that also can stay plugged in an it records dozens of engine parameters, for download to a PC later. Great for finding conditions that only happen at speed, only once in awhile, etc. The repair guys use these are often charge you $60 or more to do the same thing you can do.