Story Comments

Car-man

For the most part, the author of this article is obviously unfamiliar with any kind of maintenance of vehicles. I, too, found her article to be humorous in that it contains a great deal of misinformation. Page 3. She writes, 'However, replacing brakes on your own requires several specific tools, including a new brake rotor, caliper and fluid. Front rotors cost $56 to $68 and rear brake rotors cost $36 to $53. Calipers cost $10 to $15…'
Actually a frequent brake job just requires changing the brake pads and, perhaps, replacing the brake fluid. Yes, you can buy cheap rotors and maybe salvaged calipers for the prices noted, but the rebuilt calipers that I bought for my 1991 Toyota Camry last month were more like $59 each, new ones would have cost about three times that from the dealer.

Page 4. The author wrote, "...a quality (tire-pressure gauge) will cost around $29..."
A good digital gauge will cost you less than $10 at Wal-Mart, Target, or K-Mart.

'To rotate y...(Read more of this comment)our tires, you'll need jack stands, which cost $23 for a pair, to prop the car up and a wrench, which costs $10, to take the tires off and move them around. (A wrench and a spare tire are included in the sales of most new cars.)'
I thought this article was trying to save me money. Why would I need jack stands when I would use the jack in the trunk? Same for the wrench - it came with the car. What does 'move them around' mean?

Page 5. 'To check how much wiper fluid is left, pop the hood and check the dipstick.'
Ha ha ha. Are there any cars that have a dipstick in the windshield washer tank?

Page 6. The air filter.
I believe a gentleman has already pointed out that, in newer cars, a dirty air filter is not a big deal because of the mass air flow sensor, unless it is completely blocked. Even my 1991 Camry has a mass air flow sensor.

Page 7. 'Some lights - like the headlights - are harder to replace on higher-end vehicles, where an entire front assembly needs to be taken apart, Sinclair says. It's easier to make such changes on cheaper cars like Hyundais and Toyotas, he says.'
The difficulty of replacing headlights is not related to the cost of the cars. It is a function of how much each maufacturer crams into the engine compartment.

'Tail lights typically start around $4.50, reverse lights are $4, turn signal lights cost $6, and head lights cost around $11. '
This is misleading; these prices must be dealer or gas station prices.

Page 8. 'Purchase a bottle of antifreeze for as little as $9 and pour an appropriate amount into the reservoir.'
Antifreeze comes in a gallon jug, not a 'bottle.' And you mix it with an equal amount of water unless you buy it premixed.

Page 9. 'Instead, purchase a bottle of touch-up paint, which costs $6 to $7, to cover those scratches.'
First, you try to buff out light scratches, if not deep. For the scratches in the picture, more than a bottle will be needed.

Page 10. 'Mechanics or technicians will seal a crack (sometimes up to 12 inches long) for $40 to $70, Scott says. '
Insurance companies will often pay for fixing a small crack, before it gets bigger. And if it gets bigger, most of them will replace the windshield without making you use your deductible or raising your rates. A 12 inch long crack should probably mandate replacing the glass.

Page 11. 'You'll need …jack stands, which cost $23 for a pair…, an oil filter wrench that costs $8 to $20, motor oil, which costs between $3 and $11, a funnel for $14 and an oil drain pan that can go for as little as $3. All told, the equipment costs at least $51. On average, oil changes at car shops cost $35 to $40, Molla says. Of course, you might do it more than once.'
Again, this misinformation won't save me money. Usually, you won't need jack stands at all - if you have to raise the car to access the oil fliter, use the car jack. A filter wrench can cost $1 at the Dollar Store - or you may not even need one. Oil on sale is about $2 - $3 a quart. Make a funnel out of a plastic soda bottle (drink the soda first). The author forgot the oil filter which is about $4 or less. Expect about $20 if you do it yourself. Just remember to take the oil to a recycle place - don't dump it in the woods or trash.

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CyCarConsulting

These are tips for people who are very handy. If you don't want to tackle any of this or get dirty,and you want cheap, here is a suggestion. Talk to your friends,neighbors,colleagues, etc.,etc.,
and find out where they are getting their work done. Keep in mind you have to ask a lot of people, you are doing research, rather than cleaning grease from under your fingernails. Once you feel you've narrowed it down, go online and check for any bad reports or items on the shop. Drive over there and look around. Is it neat, or does it look like the day after Katrina? Sometimes there are very skilled techs working behind their homes, that are just as good as anyone out there, provided we are talking about service and not major diagnostic problems. If you find a good one you will know. If he guarantees his work, wants you to keep coming back, and charges you a fair rate, without trying to sell you a lot of stuff you don't need, This might be the guy.