ByR.E. Fulton
Updated on Jun 27, 2022
Reviewed by
Kathleen Flear, Director of Content.
The worst thing about cars is that they break down.
Whether it’s a fender bender on the way to work, a falling tree during a windstorm, or just the wear and tear of years on the road,you and your car will end up in the shop at some point. Knowing how to maintain your car, when to head to a mechanic, and what to expect when you get there are essential skills for any car owner.
Insurance may cover some repair and maintenance costs, particularly if your car is damaged byan act of Godor if you’re ina no-fault accident, but others get folded into the汽车所有权的总成本. The average cost of car maintenance for new vehicles is about$100 a month—but that cost varies based on a number of factors, including:
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Your car’s make and model: Broadly speaking, more expensive cars carry higher maintenance costs, but the precisemodel, vehicle type, and age of your car all impact the cost to maintain it. No matter what car you drive,Jerrycan help you reduce your ownership costs by finding youcheap car insurance.
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Insurance coverage:In general, your car insuranceonly recovers repairs required by accidentsor other unexpected damage—not expected wear and tear. But some companies allow a policy rider known asmechanical breakdown insurance, which can cover some regular maintenance costs.
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Where you live:Maintenance costs vary from state to state along with other cost-of-living metrics. So doesthe cost of car insurance.
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Ownership:Many car leases include complimentary maintenance, but if you own your car or are financing a vehicle, you may be on the hook for all the repair and maintenance costs. If you’re financing your car,Jerrycan help you find365beplay体育手机 options to save money!
Car maintenance and insurance: what you need to know
Your car insurance policy may cover certain types of repairsdepending on the type of coverageyou carry.
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If you’ve only got liability coverage, your policy covers repairs for other drivers if you’re at fault in an accident, butit won’t pay for damage to your car
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Comprehensive coveragepays for damage caused by non-collision incidents such assevere weather, theft, vandalism,andacts of God
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If you carrycollision coverage, insurance will help to pay for damage caused by acollisionwith another car or a stationary object
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Mechanical breakdown insurancecovers the cost of someregular maintenancerequired by normal wear and tear
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Towing and labor coveragewon’t pay for maintenance, but it can get you ajumpstartoremergency oil or fuel deliveryif you run into mechanical trouble on the road
Outside of these coverages, you can expect to be on the hook for the cost of maintaining your vehicle. In particular,repairs required by expected wear and tear or by an accident where you were at fault won’t typically be eligible for insurance coverage—so be prepared to shell out the money.
In general,paying for the maintenance you need is a good idea, since it keeps you and other drivers safe and in compliance with the law. Failing to keep up with your car’s required maintenance could cause you to failyour mandated inspection, or even cause a serious accident.
However, no car lives forever.If the cost to repair or maintain your car is greater than
the car’s total value
, it may be better to say goodbye to your old ride.
The bottom line
When it comes to car ownership,Jerryis the maintenance genius you need in your pocket. From finding you theinsurance coverageyou need to pay for certain major repairs to showing you the ins and outs of basic routine maintenance, Jerry has you covered.
Jerry won’t just connect you to expert advice—we’ll help you become your own expert. You can manage your car’s maintenance,customize your insurance coverage, and even365beplay体育手机
, all with the help of the world’s only super app for car owners.
FAQs
What are the most important car maintenance services?
Among the most essential routine car maintenance tasks are oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and battery checks.
How often do you need an oil change?
The old advice was to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months, but these days it’s only necessaryevery 5,000 to 7,000 milesfor most cars. Check your owner’s manual for the exact interval recommended by the manufacturer.
How do I know if my car needs maintenance?
Your car has a lot of ways of telling you it needs help. The check engine light and other dashboard service indicators are one way to know when it’s time for a visit to the mechanic, but you should also get any unusual vibrations, noises, or smells checked out. Smoke, mysterious fluid underneath your car, and other visible changes are also good indicators that maintenance is required.
What happens if my car is not serviced?
Skipping routine maintenance can have a few effects. In the short term, it may not do anything—particularly for non-urgent problems. In the long run, however, foregoing necessary services can lead to severe damage to your car’s components, up to and including total engine failure.
Car maintenance 101 with Jerry
Every car comes with its own manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule, but the basics are the same for most vehicles.
To help you save money on repairs and maintenance,Jerry’screated a master schedule for basic car maintenance. We’ll break down the tasks you should be doing once or month (or every time you fill up the tank), along with bigger checks and services to schedule at or before the 30,000, 60,000, and 90,000 mile marks.
Regular maintenance
You should begetting under the hoodregularly to check certain crucial components. Perform these checks每两到四个weeksandbefore any major road trips.
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Check engine oil and coolant levels
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Test your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and parking lights
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Check tire pressureand tread depth
If your car runs on synthetic oil, like most modern vehicles, you can likely go between5,000 and 7,000 milesbefore an oil change. Tires should be rotated every6,000 to 8,000 miles. Exactly when you’ll need those services depends onyour vehicle, how you use it, and the environmental conditions in your area—so checking regularly can help you anticipate the best time to head to the shop!
While you’re taking care of your car,Jerrycan perform regular maintenance on your insurance policy. When you shop forcar insurancewith Jerry, the app will check periodically for lower rates so that you always know when a better deal pops up.
Semi-yearly maintenance
Your car needs some services less frequently than a monthly basis, but more frequently than the 30-60-90 schedule most manufacturers recommend. Here’s what you should be doing for your car every three to six months to keep it in peak condition:
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Replacewindshield wiperblades
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Wax the car
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Checkbattery power
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Rotate tires
Experts also recommendshopping for car insurance every six months—but most people think of their insurance policy as something that’s set in stone. That couldn’t be further from the truth: in fact, reshopping for insurance regularly can help you省钱and tailor your coverage to your car’s changing needs. Download theJerryapp for instant expert help and a 45-second rate comparison process.
Maintenance around 30,000 miles
Most cars require some standard maintenance around the 30,000 mile mark. Here’s what you should expect to do for your car at that milestone:
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Replace the oil filter
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Replace the engine air filter and cabin air filter
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Check brake pads and rotors
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Check coolant,transmission fluid,brake fluid, and transfer case fluid
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Check spark plugs
Some engine components, likebrake pads, coolant, and spark plugs, may need to bereplacedat this stage.
If you’re feeling confident in your mechanical skills,you can do a lot of this maintenance on your own. But if you’re taking your car to a mechanic, use the time while you wait to shop for a new insurance policy withJerry. Start to finish, the comparison process takes under 45 seconds—and you could walk out of the garage with a new low rate on your insurance!
Maintenance around 60,000 miles
For most vehicles, this is the stage when major mechanical componentsbegin to wear out. Be prepared to put some money into your car around the 50,000 to 70,000 mile mark. You’ll probably need to:
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Replace the battery
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Swap out brake pads and rotors
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Replacetiresif necessary
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Flush transmission, radiator, differential, brake, and transfer case fluids
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Check the serpentine belt
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Check the shocks and struts
As your car begins to age, maintenance and repair costs will start to climb. In addition, mostnew car warrantiesexpire around three years or 36,000 miles—making this an ideal time to look intomechanical breakdown insuranceto help you cover maintenance costs.
That’s why the car owner’s super appJerryexists—to save drivers money on car-related expenses at the moment they need it!
Download the app, enter your information, and you could have a new low rate on your insurance in minutes. On average, Jerry users save $887 on car insurance.
Maintenance around 90,000 miles
Proper maintenance can keep your car functioning effectively well past 90,000 miles, but it’s important to continue regular checks and services. Here’s what to schedule at or before the 90,000 mile mark:
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Check or replace engine hoses
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Check or replacepower steering fluid
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Replace spark plugs
If you financed your car with a 72-month loan, you’re due for an insurance refresh. Most lenders require drivers to carry full-coverage insurance to protect their investment, but once your loan term’s up you’refree to change your coverageto meetyourneeds.
Jerrycan help with that—in just 45 seconds, we can show you coverage options and rate offers drawn from 50+ top providers.
Why you shouldn’t skip car maintenance
Car maintenance isn’t just the responsible thing to do—it could actuallyextend your car’s life! And though it may seem like an extra expense, performing regular checks and services can save you money in the long run by avoiding theserious damage,accidents, and relatedlegal expensesthat can come from driving a car in poor condition.
Set yourself up for success by investing in a decent set ofcar tools and other maintenance supplies. To avoid the ambiguous warning of acheck engine light, you can purchase an OBD-II scanner toread engine trouble codesthat can tell you exactly what’s going on inside your vehicle.
No matter what your maintenance schedule looks like, be sure to include regular insurance checks. Whether you’re looking forcheap truck insurance, ahigh-risk policy, ora low-mileage discount,
Jerrycan help you find the unique coverage you need at the best rate available.
Jerry’s committed to saving money for car owners—and doing it with as little hassle as possible. We won’t sell your information, we won’t ask you to fill out unnecessary paperwork, and we’ll never, ever call you (unless you ask us to!).
With help fromJerry, you can give your car a long, safe life while protecting your bank account and saving money for the things you care most about.
Still have some questions?
Let Jerry help you find the answers
