Road trips and vacations can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of driving. The feeling of driving to new destinations and taking in the scenery is an incredibly exciting prospect, but not everyone is as careful with their vehicles as others. But there are ways to save hundreds of dollars and prevent an accident, as one mechanic has posted on a TikTok video.
Mechanic @pina.garage uploaded the video, which now has nearly three million views on the social media platform. In the video, he outlined five maintenance checks that everyone should do, all of which take less than two minutes, and can help save you hundreds of dollars, perhaps even thousands.
Not only that, but he said one thing in particular can save not just a lot of money and keep your car running, but also prevent an accident from occurring. Many accidents can happen due to a lack of vehicle care, and when things go wrong, they can sometimes go wrong in a very big way.
Many of you reading this may already do these checks yourself, and thus, you are well aware of what to do before long trips. But some of you may not, and we think what this mechanic has found makes for interesting and important reading and viewing.
The Five Things You Should Do Before a Long Road Trip
The mechanic, @pina.garage, outlined five simple things to do before you go on a long trip. These are checking tire pressures, checking coolant levels, the engine air filter, battery terminals, and the engine oil level. All of these are quick and easy to do, and by doing them, you can save so much money in the process.
Of these, one in particular can really help to save money. The mechanic says checking tire pressures can really help. “Over or under-inflating your tires can cause uneven wear. A simple check can save you hundreds,” he said in the TikTok video. Keeping tire pressures in check is also just a good safety practice to avoid having any problems not too far down the line.
The coolant level is another important check, and this is quick and easy in most cars and can save thousands. Engine air filters are an easy component to replace as well, and @pina.garage recommends doing this at least once a year. Battery terminals can be cleaned or replaced entirely, and it is important to keep an eye on corrosion. Finally, there are the engine oil levels. Starve an engine of oil, and you are in big trouble. “Check your engine oil level at least once a month. Your future self (and wallet) will thank you,” the mechanic said.
If You Skip Maintenance, You May Regret It Quickly
Depending on the car, the condition, and many other factors, it can cost varying amounts of money to look after one each year. Consumer Affairs says it can cost roughly $900 on average to maintain and repair a car. That, however, can be lower for those who are regularly on top of the condition of their vehicle. Much lower, in fact, depending on what may or may not be wrong with your car.
Of course, it is only natural that looking after a car can keep your repair bills down. If minor problems are left alone for too long, they can blossom into major problems and potentially be dangerous. As the mechanic showed in his video, a lot of the ways we can keep on top of things are easy and take just a few minutes of our time. That also extends to other work, such as oil changes, brake pad replacements, and even replacement batteries. Looking after a car does not have to be expensive.