There’s little doubt the cost of living pressures are stinging the average punter right now. Whether it’s paying bills, maintaining your vehicle or ponying up for car repairs – it can be a hard ask to make ends meet at the best of times.
The recently published 2024 Youi Insurance Car Care & Costs report showed that 35 per cent of Aussies choose to delay car maintenance, with 73 per cent of those citing cost-of-living pressures as the reason.
Concerned by those stats, we sat down with Melbourne-based car parts specialist Justin Tettis – general manager of Speed Parts – to talk about car maintenance and the things people should look out for when it comes to keeping their vehicle on the road.
“Regular maintenance is critical to both vehicle performance and safety. At the top of the list are oil and filter changes – these are essential to keep the engine running smoothly and extend its lifespan,” he said.
“Tyre condition and pressure are also vital, not just for fuel efficiency but for safe handling and braking. Brakes, battery health, and fluid levels (coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering) should also be checked routinely, especially as vehicles age.”
While some vehicle maintenance items need to be fitted by a mechanic, there’s a lot you can do yourself. More importantly, these things don’t have to cost a bomb, and are easily fitted by following the instructions that come with the product.
“Cabin and engine air filters are often overlooked but play a big role in both engine efficiency and driver comfort. Wiper blades are another commonly forgotten item until they’re desperately needed in bad weather,” Tettis said.
“Fortunately, these can be easily sourced and purchased quite inexpensively on eBay, via My Garage, which gives you the ability to search for parts and accessories based on a specific vehicle make and model,” he added.
“We also find that many drivers don’t regularly inspect their tyres for uneven wear or embedded objects – these are simple checks that can prevent blowouts or premature tyre replacement.”
It’s worth noting, your car will often tell you if something’s wrong, and you should keep an eye on warning lights. Addressing them promptly is critical. Too often, drivers ignore them until significant damage has already occurred. This is when things get expensive.
“Without a doubt the condition of rubber components, such as belts, hoses, and suspension bushings [are the things people forget to check],” he said.
These are parts that degrade over time, especially in Australia’s often harsh climate, and failures can lead to overheating, loss of power steering, or engine damage.
“They’re out of sight and often out of mind, but a quick visual inspection during routine maintenance can make a big difference in preventing unexpected breakdowns. Once again, many of these components can be sourced online, and of course, on eBay.”
