Calgary car owners need to be ready for expensive repairs, expert says
Posted Apr 22, 2022 9:33 am.
Last Updated Apr 22, 2022 9:35 am.
It’s almost time to plan a road trip, but after the toll winter can take on your vehicle, you might be paying more to make sure it’s good to go.
Just like everything else, the cost of maintaining a car is getting more expensive.
Gravel might have done a number on your windshield, your brakes might be squeaky, and there’s the high cost of gas.
Insurance rates are averaging $1,300 a year in Alberta, and Emma Hancock, owner and operator of The Cargurl, says you need to be ready for it all.
“You know there are some things that just need to be done, it’s no bad reflection of the vehicle, but you do have to do your brakes. Cars love an oil change before they’re asking for it,” said Hancock.
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And if your old beater is not cutting it anymore, the cost of new cars is also growing sharply, so Hancock advises you to be careful when heading over to a dealer.
“The most important thing is to get ahead of it because it probably is going to be a pre-order,” Hancock said. “And if you’re going to pre-order if you really want to know what you’re getting, and you really want to know what the numbers are.”
As soon as we can be sure there’s no more snow coming, you may be itching to enjoy a long summer drive in your car, but before you take a road trip, Hancock says to make sure you do the necessary maintenance on your vehicle.
“I think it’s a good investment of time to find a mechanic you can trust. And that might be a dealership where you bought your vehicle. Or that might be a guy in your neighbourhood and that’s all he does.”
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It can cost you hundreds of dollars to get a windshield replaced after it gets cracked by gravel, but you shouldn’t ignore those fixes, according to Hancock.
“The more educated and in touch you are with the vehicle you are driving, the better, because you’re putting so much trust in it,” Hancock said.
Remember to factor in the high cost of gas and rising insurance rates as well, and soon enough you should be zooming away, hopefully with some cash in your wallet.
