When budgeting for the cost of a car, you’ll likely consider your car payment, the cost of gas, tolls, and auto insurance. But don’t forget to factor in how much you’ll spend on routine car maintenance when calculating the true cost of owning a car.
While probably not top of mind when setting your transportation budget, routine car maintenance is necessary for the health and longevity of your vehicle. It can help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Here’s what the average car maintenance cost looks like, including how much each service item should cost, and how often you should have these services done.
The Basics
While the average cost of owning a car ranges from $6,354 annually for a small sedan to $10,054 for a pickup truck, the expected cost of routine maintenance may surprise you. According to a study by AAA, a new car’s routine maintenance and repairs could cost an average of $1,186 each year. That’s why it’s important to budget for this expense.
Generally, you should plan to check the following items off your car maintenance list:
- Oil change
- Windshield wiper replacement
- New battery
- Brake pad replacement
- Tire rotation or replacement
Oil Change
Experts suggest changing your oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, so how often you’ll need to take care of this routine maintenance item will depend on how much—and how far—you drive. If you don’t reach the minimum mileage threshold, it’s recommended that you have your car’s oil changed every 12 months.
Windshield Wiper Replacement
There’s nothing worse than driving on a rainy day and realizing your car’s windshield wipers no longer work as well as they should. That’s why you should replace your wipers every six to 12 months, or as soon as you start to notice problems. Wiper replacement should cost between $55 and $88.
New Battery
Your car’s battery should be replaced every three years or so, but this timeline depends on various outside factors, such as if your vehicle is subject to extreme heat or cold weather, or if you leave your car unused for a long period. And if you frequently leave your car’s interior lights on, that can also drain your battery.
Replacing your car’s battery can cost anywhere from $59.99 to $200 depending on your car’s make and model and your location.
Brake Pad Replacement
This bit of routine maintenance is a bit trickier from a timeline perspective. How often you need to replace your brake pads depends on how often you use your brakes. For example, it could depend on how many city miles you drive versus how many miles you log on the freeway. Generally speaking, city drivers will need to have their brake pads replaced sooner than those driving in rural areas or who drive primarily on freeways.
There will be a few signs when you need to repair your brake pads. First, your car may make a screeching sound when you apply the brakes. Or, if you drive a newer vehicle, your car’s indicator light will come on, telling you it’s time to hit the brakes and visit your local auto servicer.
Brake pad replacement costs an average of $241, but that number depends on your location, your car’s model and year, and if you need to replace the pads on both axles or only one.
Rotate/Replace Tires
Did you know that if your car’s tires are too worn (to a tread depth of 4/32 inches), it can increase your stopping distance in wet highway conditions by 87 feet?11 If your tire treads reach this depth, you should get them replaced. If you need more of a timeline, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that you replace your tires every six years, no matter how many miles you’ve driven.12 Replacing all four tires can cost between $525 and $725.
Tire rotation is another important maintenance item. It should be done every 5,000 to 8,000 miles and costs between $35 and $45, though some mechanics or dealers offer it for free when you have other services performed on your car.
Saving Money on Car Maintenance
When considering the cost of the necessary maintenance for your car, you may be wondering how you can (safely) cut corners. Good news—there are several ways to save money on car expenses.
While it may be tempting to go to the dealer for your car’s routine maintenance needs, it may not always be the most economical choice. Shop around for the best rates on these routine maintenance items, and keep an eye out for coupons.
And if you’re handy, you may consider doing some of your car’s maintenance yourself. For example, you can change the oil and oil filter in your car at home to cut some of the costs associated with this routine maintenance item.
Whatever you do, just try adding the average car maintenance cost to your annual budget to help you prepare and save.
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