From junkyards to cleaning and wholesale parts, here are some creative ways to ease the pain of car maintenance costs.
12 Tips to Make Car Maintenance Cheaper
Updated on Feb. 18, 2025
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Buy a Buff Kit for Headlights
If your headlights have become foggy, before spending hundreds of dollars on new ones, try a DIY fix kit from the automotive store. “You can buff and polish them at home, then add wax or oil to the cover to replenish the lost oils,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an automotive expert with JustAnswer. But do not try heat or bug-off, as those results are short-lived,” he says.
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Look for Sales and Wholesale Parts
A solid way to make car maintenance cheaper is to keep an eye out for sales, such as oil filter-oil combo deals. You can find discounts for buying in bulk from places like Costco or Walmart’s clearance section, says Xavier Sabastian, an automotive expert at Way.com. Also, a great place to get wholesale part pricing is Rock Auto.
Pyle recommends buying tires online, as they are often cheaper, especially if the vendor offers free shipping. When calculating costs, keep in mind you still have to pay for mounting, balancing and disposal.
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Try Junkyards
Junkyards are another place to save on parts, including batteries, alternators and body panels. Pyle recommends using car-part.com to locate used parts. “Sometimes they will remove the part, and sometimes they offer a 30-day warranty,” he says.
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Buy a Scan Tool
If your check-engine light comes on or other problems arise, a diagnostic scanner will give you the error codes you need to figure out what’s failing. Then you can diagnose it yourself or ask an expert online like Pyle.
“Purchase a really good scan tool,” he says. “There is a large upfront cost, but you will have it forever.” Most auto parts stores will also scan your vehicle for basic codes for free.
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Borrow Tools
When you need a specialty tool, such as a torque wrench or ball-joint fork, there’s a good chance you can borrow it from the auto parts store. “Stores like AutoZone, O’Reilly and Advance Auto Parts offer free tool loaner programs,” says Sabastian. “This will help you tackle DIY repairs without investing in expensive tools you’ll rarely use.”
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Try Cleaning Hacks
When it comes to cleaning the exterior and interior of your car, you can save money on car detailing by:
- Using newspaper in place of paper towels to clean glass. “It does pretty well and leaves behind no lint,” says Pyle.
- Using a paintbrush or toothbrush to make cleaning cracks and crevices inside the car easier.
- DIYing windshield wiper fluid by mixing water with a few drops of dish soap and a splash of rubbing alcohol. “This is an easy, budget-friendly alternative,” says Sabastian.
- Using compressed air or a leaf blower to clean out the interior. “Seats and carpets have some nasty stuff buried in them and there are always spots you just cannot vacuum,” says Pyle.
- Using a shampoo-conditioner combo for washing it exterior. “It can leave a nice appearance on the paint and trim,” says Pyle.
- Misting water into your air intake after the air filter to steam-clean your engine, which works similarly to using a fuel injector cleaner, says Pyle.
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Keep Up With Maintenance
Regular car maintenance will save a bundle on car repairs in the long run. “Follow the schedule in the owner’s manual,” says Tom Ham, owner of Auto Centric. “Don’t ignore things.” Some regular maintenance tasks include:
- Rotating your tires and checking their air pressure with every oil change will extend tread life. Most tire stores will do this for free if you buy the tires from them.
- Replacing suspension once it’s old, including struts and shocks, which, if worn, will cause excessive tire wear and pressure on other suspension and drivetrain parts.
- Washing the exterior and undercarriage regularly will help prevent corrosion of body panels and parts. It will also make bolts easier to remove when it comes time to change the parts they’re securing.
- Changing the oil on schedule. “Oil wears out at different speeds for different cars, engines, climates and drivers, and you don’t want to change it too late or too early,” says Pyle. “There is even an option to have your oil sent off and analyzed at different mileage or hour intervals to see when exactly it has worn out.”
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Check Your Warranty
Before you spend money replacing parts, check to make sure they’re not covered under warranty or a recall. “Some car manufacturers quietly cover repairs beyond the standard warranty for known defects,” says Sabastian. “Search online forums or ask your dealer about goodwill coverage.”
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Watch YouTube
Many fixes, like replacing cabin air filters, sensors and brakes, are surprisingly simple with the help of step-by-step YouTube tutorials. Be sure to watch how to do it on several channels (especially ones that have lots of positive feedback), as techniques vary, and poor advice is common.
“If you are perfectly comfortable with what you see, go for it,” says Ham. “If not, find and stick with one independent repair shop, ideally a ‘where everybody knows your name’ kind of place, to do the things you are not going to do.”
Also, avoid tips and tricks from non-professionals, says Ham. “Their intent may be great, but professional experience is essential with modern cars today.”
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Use the Correct Octane Gas
Skip the top-shelf gas if your car doesn’t require it. “Unless your owner’s manual specifically calls for premium fuel, you’re just throwing money away,” says Sabastian. However, if your car requires higher octane fuel, it’s important to use that to prevent premature engine wear and maintain performance.
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Make the Most of Perks
Some insurance policies cover things like roadside assistance, free windshield chip repairs and rental car discounts, so check your policy before paying for these services out of pocket, says Sabastian. Also, if you’re a rideshare driver, your company might offer discounts on oil changes, brakes and tires. “Many shops offer fleet pricing or referral discounts, too, so see if you can snag the same savings!” Sabastian notes.
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Amend Your Driving Habits
Lead-footed and aggressive driving not only costs you gas mileage but prematurely wears out your tires, engine, suspension and more. Driving more calmly will also keep you from blowing a gasket in your human body!
About the Experts
- Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer, the expert on-demand platform, since 2006.
- Xavier Sabastian is an author and auto/insurance expert with the Way.com auto app.
- Tom Ham has owned Auto Centric, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since 1978. He has more than four decades of experience in the auto repair industry.
