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Weve all been there.
Lets dive into seven of these wallet-draining blunders,as shared by automotive experts whove seen it all.
Ignoring That Tiny Chip in Your Windshield
You know that little chip from a stray pebble?
The one youve been meaning to get fixed someday?
Well, someday might cost you big time.
Moral of the story?
Dont let that little chip turn into a big crack in your windshield or your savings.
Ruderman has seen this backfire more times than he can count.
So next time, maybe splurge on that name-brand battery.
Its cheaper than a locksmith bill.
But Ruderman explains why thats a big no-no.
Driving on under-inflated tires wears them out faster, meaning costly replacements sooner than youd like, he said.
Plus, it hurts your fuel efficiency, so youll be spending more on gas.
Tires are not cheap.
Driving with them under/overinflated will accelerate their wear.
Pyle cautions against usingcheap aftermarket parts.
So that $50 you saved on a part?
It might cost you hundreds more in labor if it fails.
Its not just for show.
The manufacturer provides what should be done to get the best longevity.
But Pyle warns against relying on mechanic-in-a-bottle solutions.
You are in a pickle with a fluid leak, he supposed.
You go to AutoZone and buy a stop-leak for the engine/trans oil, or the coolant.
Those are for emergencies, and not intended to be added repetitively or left in the vehicle.
In other words, that $10 bottle of stop-leak might end up costing you hundreds in engine repairs.
But Aivaras Grigelevicius, an automotive expert atcarVertical, explains why this is a costly mistake.
An average visit to an automated car wash costs around $15, Grigelevicius said.
After about 10 trips, a car will likely show visible signs of wear, including scratches.
Youre literally paying to decrease your cars value.
Talk about a lose-lose situation.
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