With this year’s tax-filing season nearing an end, the federal government and all 50 states are busy churning out millions of dollars in refund checks to taxpayers everywhere.
Assuming you’re on track to get a refund, how do you plan to spend yours? While the possibilities are limitless – from taking that long dreamed-of vacation (shout out to audleytravel.com/us), to socking it all away in your kids’ college fund – you may want to consider setting aside a bit of that money for one of the most important investments you own: your vehicle. When it comes to car maintenance, a stitch in time saves nine.
Here are just a few examples of how putting money into car maintenance today can save you a bundle down the line.
- Regularly scheduled oil changes run roughly $20 to $30 per visit. Depending on how much you drive, you could easily rack up over $120 per year on oil changes – not exactly chump change, but it’s better than the alternative. Putting off an oil change may cause your engine parts to break down prematurely. Considering that the average price for a used engine can cost as much $2000 and upwards of $4000 for a new one, the savings become instantly clear.
- Many service shops will offer to rotate your tires for free, but even if you have to pay it’s usually no more than $20. If you neglect to get your tires rotated on a regular basis, however, you could find yourself stuck with a bill between $500 and $1,000 for a set of brand new rubber shoes.
- Timing belts aren’t exactly cheap, but forking over the money while you’ve got it is a far better alternative than paying to fix the damage a failed belt can cause your engine. On average, timing belt replacement costs between $300 and $600. That’s a far cry from the $2,000 to $4,000 you may have to put down to fix or replace your damaged engine.
Need repairs and maintenance in anticipation of selling your wheels?
Summer is the optimal time of year to sell your car. If you’re considering putting your car on the market, investing some of your tax refund into fixing or servicing your vehicle could dramatically increase its resale value. It’s advantageous to invest in your car’s maintenance now, so you get to reap the benefits of a nice, smooth ride before you eventually sell it.
Remove the hassle of car repair, and book service through Openbay. Whether you’ve got some extra dough in your pocket courtesy of Uncle Sam, a bonus check, or because you’ve been saving for a rainy day, remember to schedule your service through Openbay. Compare pricing and book service from quality local shops with the click of a button.
