Having a car is handy, but they can also be costly, especially when it comes to car repairs. Below are four tips that you can use to help avoid costly car repairs.

1. Have a Regular Maintenance Schedule

If you read the manual of your car, you’ll see that there’s a recommended maintenance schedule. When you stick to this schedule, you’re going to find problems before they become big problems.

2. Trust Your Own Instincts

Do you smell something funny? Do you hear something weird? Call your mechanic. If you think that something doesn’t feel quite right, there’s a good chance that you aren’t imagining things.

3. Make Sure Your Fluids are Filled

You should always make sure that your vehicle has the essential fluids that are needed. These are things like wiper fluid, oil, brake fluid and coolant. If you’re not keeping track of the levels, they can quickly go from being full and going to empty. So, you should always make sure you’re checking the fluids and frequently topping them off.

4. Remember to Change the Oil

One of the best things that you can do to keep your car running the way that it should is to make sure you’re changing your oil. How often it needs to be changed depends on your car, so refer to your owner’s manual for advice.

These are four tips that you can use to help you avoid costly car repairs. They won’t help you avoid all of them, but they will help you with avoiding some of them.