Maintenance…

With gas prices going through the roof and economists and the media hyping up the supposed recession in the near future, I thought I‘d take a moment and weigh in on the subject.

 

Will we stop buying gas for our car?  Obviously not, as we need cars to live in our society.  Some things we can do to conserve energy and save money are: buying a hybrid car (better hurry up) or, find a friend to drive to work with.

 

Will we stop changing our car’s oil every 3,000 miles?  Better yet, if we don’t change the oil, how long will the car last before the engine ceases?  If that happens, instead of a $40 oil change, we’re buying a brand new car.  I know in the past I have stretched the oil change to 3,500 even 4,000 miles but I ultimately get to the maintenance.  Likewise, we’ll continue to change the car’s brakes when they get spongy and buy new tires when the treads wear thin.  When either the brakes or tires feel “off,” I bring the car in for a check.  My mechanic does that for free.  If the work needs to be done, I have it done, if not, it was five or ten minutes of my time for the knowledge that everything it ok.

 

Do we have auto insurance that pays for any of that?  Auto insurance pays for the catastrophes, not the routine maintenance.  My brakes cost me over $600 the last time I changed them, the tires were over $500.  That maintenance is all out of pocket.  In fact, it is a way to help limit the possibility of having to use the catastrophe insurance.  I know I can’t control the other people on the road, so I do everything I can to protect myself and my family.  And that is something only I control. 

 

My point is that regardless of what economists and talking heads say, we will continue doing what we are committed to.  I’m committed to keeping my car safe for my family as I’m sure many of you are also.  Just like me, eventually you’ll spend similar money to get the same work done on your car.  In fact, I know I can have it done for less at some other place, but I’ll gladly pay my mechanic extra for the piece of mind he gives me and the trust in the quality of his workmanship. 

 

Are you committed to filling your car with gas and changing the oil and brakes?  If not, what are you committed to?  Your answers to the above questions will tell you about who you are and what you are committed to.  Give this to a friend or family member whom you love and I promise they’ll thank you for it.