Delayed Car Repairs Are Costing You $1,193
Car maintenance can be expensive -- but putting off needed repairs or maintenance tasks can end up costing you in the long run. A recent analysis of car owner behavior conducted by UTires found that delaying maintenance or repairs costs the average American driver an extra $1,193 over their vehicle's life span. That's because in many cases, the longer you delay a car issue, the more expensive it will be to repair when you actually get around to it.
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Average Cost of Delaying a Cracked Windshield Repair: $258
The UTires survey found that windshield cracks are the most neglected car maintenance issue, with 26.7% of drivers admitting they have put off this repair for more than three months. However, putting off this repair can be costly -- not to mention dangerous as it can limit your visibility. According to Motor1.com, "The longer you wait to repair a small chip or crack, the more expensive and time-consuming the repair may become as you risk the chance of the crack spreading."
A prompt repair of a windshield crack will cost $60 to $125, but if you delay the repair, you may end up having to replace the whole windshield, which can cost three to four times as much. The average price range of a replacement is $250 to $450, so on average, delaying this repair will cost around $258.
Average Cost of Delaying Wheel Alignment: $1,223
The UTires survey found that 12.5% of drivers have driven for three months or more with wheels that need an alignment. This is another repair that becomes more expensive the longer you delay it. Regular wheel alignments are recommended every six to 12 months or 6,000 to 10,000 miles, and typically costs between $65 and $100, depending on your vehicle model and year.
Continuing to drive with misaligned axles can lead to higher fuel costs (an estimated extra $20 to $50 a month), having to replace tires prematurely (which can cost $360 to $600), having to replace the shock absorber and strut assembly (about $750), and/or other suspension and steering component repairs. If you end up needing to replace your tires and suspension system, delaying this repair will cost an extra $1,223 on average.
Average Cost of Delaying an Oil Change: $3,173
Most vehicles need oil changes every 3,000 to 6,000 miles, with the typical cost of an oil change ranging between $35 and $75 for conventional oil and $65 to $125 for synthetic oil. But if you put off getting an oil change, the oil particles can become thick and sticky. This can lead to build-up on vital car parts, which means they may need to be replaced. This can include the valve cover gaskets (about $225), intake manifold gaskets (about $300), head gaskets ($1,290 to $1,560), camshafts (about $1,300 to $1,500) and crankshafts (average $1,642).
UTires estimates that if you put off changing your oil, the cost of the engine parts you may need to replace would cost 50 times more than getting a timely oil change. If you skip your oil change completely and need to replace your entire engine, expect to pay between $5,100 and $8,800.
Average Cost of Driving With Worn Down Tires: $1,200
Tires typically need to be replaced every two years. If you're driving with worn-out tires, this could be dangerous, as the loss of tread can lead to loss of control, hydroplaning and difficulty braking. And if your tires fail while you are driving, it can damage the wheels and rotors.
New car tires for everyday driving typically cost $80 to $250 each, and you can get quality used tires for $25 to $160. But if you delay replacing your tires and end up needing to replace more expensive car parts, this can cost an extra $1,200 on average. The average cost for a wheel replacement is between $698 and $710, and wheel hub assembly replacement costs between $475 and $504 on average.
Average Cost of Ignoring the 'Check Engine' Light: $1,700
According to the UTires survey, 15% of drivers have ignored their "check engine" light for three months or more. Although this light may only be signaling a minor issue such as a loose gas cap, it could also mean a critical system -- like the fuel injection, ignition or emission controls -- is not working properly.
One common problem indicated by the "check engine" light is a faulty oxygen sensor. Replacing this right away will cost an average of $350, but if left unchecked, this could ruin your catalytic convertor. If this part has to be replaced, it will cost an average of $2,000 to $2,100.
Average Cost of Ignoring Sluggish Brakes: $1,100
Over a quarter of drivers have waited a month or longer to go in for repairs when they notice their brakes are not working as well as they should. This is obviously dangerous, but can also be a pricey mistake.
Brake shoes and pads should generally be replaced every 25,000 to 75,000 miles, and this usually costs about $100 to $150 per axle, depending on the vehicle model and year. But failing to perform timely brake maintenance can lead to issues with discs, rotors, calipers and fluid. If you have to replace these parts, the cost of dealing with your brake issue will increase five-fold.
Average Cost of Ignoring Unusual Car Noises: $1,575
If your car is making squeaks, rattles or groans, that's a pretty clear indication that something is wrong. But nearly a quarter of drivers said they have ignored these warning signs for a month or longer before taking their car in for repairs.
One of the most common causes of these unusual noises is a bad timing belt. If you replace it before it breaks, it will cost about $600 to $650 to repair. If you wait too long, the bad timing belt can cause damage to the pistons, rings, cylinder heads and valves, which will cost up to $2,800 to replace.
Average Cost of Continuing To Drive With a Leaky Tire: $150
It's tempting to procrastinate dealing with a tire that has a slow leak -- you can keep filling it up with air for about $1. But ideally, you should get it patched or plugged before a small hole turns into a larger problem.
Plugging a punctured tire only costs about $10 to $25, but if you delay doing this, you will eventually need to replace the tire -- which can cost 10 times as much.
Average Cost of Putting Off Replacing Windshield Washer Fluid: $750
Windshield washer fluid is cheap, costing an average of $2 to $15 a bottle, so there's really no excuse to put off this repair. Driving with dirty windshields can make it harder for you to see and lead to car accidents -- and even a minor one can be costly. Minor car accident repairs will cost in the range of $500 to $1,000, plus your insurance premiums will likely go up as well.
Average Cost of Ignoring a Burned-Out Headlight: $120
Driving with a headlight out can be dangerous, but even if you don't get into an accident, you still run the risk of getting a ticket. The cost to replace a bulb will run you $10 to $70, depending on if you DIY or pay for labor, while the average traffic ticket will run you $80 to $120.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Delayed Car Repairs Are Costing You $1,193
