Keeping a vehicle in good condition is expensive. According to AAA, new vehicles cost roughly $1200 a year to maintain. Older vehicles can cost even more. That’s a lot of money. The cost only increases for businesses that have a fleet of vehicles. So, what can you do to cut back on vehicle maintenance costs? Learn to do some basic maintenance tasks yourself.

Maintaining a vehicle is a valuable skill. It used to be commonplace to do basic repairs on your own, but now most people prefer to have their vehicle serviced by a dealership or repair shop. The problem with this is that many owners are overcharged for minor maintenance tasks that they could do themselves. When you take your vehicle to a shop, you have to pay for labor, taxes, and other costs. If you do the task yourself, all you have to pay for is the materials to perform the job. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by learning some basic car maintenance. Here are three tasks you should try on your own:

  • Changing your own air and engine filter: A basic cabin air filter can run between 15-50 dollars depending on the vehicle type. To get it done in a shop, you have to pay an hourly labor wage and shop costs of $100 or more. Regularly changing out your air filter is an important maintenance task. The air filter increases fuel efficiency, prolongs engine life, and helps reduce emissions. Follow your vehicle maintenance guide schedule to know when to change the filter. It’s usually every 12 months. All you need is a quality air filter. We recommend Valvoline air filters. They are incredibly durable and help to protect your engine.
    • Changing the cabin air filter: This filter is usually located behind the glove box. You’ll have to remove the glove box pin to lower the glove box. The filter will be sitting behind it. Squeeze the outside tabs of the old filter to slide it out. Remember to go slowly as it will be full of dust and dirt! You may also want to do a quick vacuum of the area where the filter rests to remove any loose debris. Then all you have to do is slide the new filter in and lift the glove box back into position and replace the pin! It’s super easy.
    • Changing the engine filter: Pop open your hood. Most engine air filters are located in a black box in the front of your engine. Consult your maintenance guide for the exact location and instructions. Usually, you’ll have to open the box or container by removing the screws or opening the clips. Once it’s open, you pull the filter out and insert the new one right side up. Engine air filters should be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Check your guidebook for the exact specification.
  • Changing the transmission fluid. Making sure your transmission fluid is up to the job will extend the life of your vehicle. Getting a flush and fluid top-up done in a shop may cost you up to 200 dollars. Doing it yourself will cost half that. You can tell if it’s time to change your fluid if it’s starting to look brown, new fluid is bright red. Follow your vehicle maintenance schedule to know when it’s time to change out your fluid. Here’s what you need:
    • A Transmission fluid pump. Buying your own pump will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run because you’ll be able to do the job yourself. A simple hand pump is relatively cheap. You’ll use this pump to suck out the old fluid. Or you can empty the fluid under the vehicle into a drip pan. Once the old fluid is emptied, you’ll have to refill it. We recommend Havoline® Full Synthetic Multi-Vehicle ATF for personal/recreational vehicles. It’s great for 6+ speed automatic transmissions. Always check your owner’s guide for what type of transmission fluid is best for your vehicle.
  • Changing the oil: This is the most routine maintenance task you will need to maintain your engine. The cost of regular oil changes can add up. Learning how to do this task yourself can save money, which you can put toward buying a high-quality oil to maintain your engine. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to change your oil since it’s a bit of a complicated process. Don’t be intimidated. You can do it, though we will warn you that it’s a little messy.

    • The hard part of changing your own oil is selecting the right oil for your vehicle. As a fuel and lubricant supplier, we know some of the best brands in the industry. We highly recommend anything from Chevron lubricant brands: Valvoline™ or Havoline®. They are all superior quality products that will help protect and extend your engine life. Some of our most popular oils are:

    As a California fuel and lubricant supplier, we know that vehicle maintenance can be expensive. We’ve been delivering wholesale fuel in Bakersfield, CA, for a long time now, and we know which products are best for the conditions your vehicles are operating in. Ask us for recommendations next time you place an order. We have access to a variety of Chevron Lubricants and wholesale lubricants, and a wide variety of automotive supplies. We have nearly everything you’ll need to keep your vehicles in working order. Call us today.