How much does your car cost? If you don’t know, then you probably won’t care. But if you want to get the best value out of your vehicle using one of car valuation tools, you’ll need to know how much it costs.

Cars are expensive. They’re also big investments, and they last a long time. That means you need to take good care of them. The average car owner spends $1,200 per year on maintenance, repairs, and insurance.

There are several ways to determine the price of a new or used car. The easiest way is to check out the Kelley Blue Book (KBB). KBB has a handy calculator that allows you to input information such as the model, color, mileage, and options to give you a ballpark figure.

Of course, there’s more to it than just numbers. A mechanic can help with these questions:

• Is my auto warranty in effect?

• What will I have to pay for an extended service plan?

• Have I had any major mechanical issues recently?

• Can I afford a replacement car if something happens while I’m driving this one?

It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive, your next oil change should be coming up soon. So why wait until all-to-frequent intervals? By doing so, you may not only deplete valuable engine lubricants and cause damage to critical components, but also create undesirable smells.

How often should you get your oil changed? It depends on where you live and the type of vehicle you own. For example, a car that gets 10 miles per gallon of gas might require an oil change every 1,000 miles. On the other hand, a vehicle that runs mostly on electricity might need its oil replaced at 50,000 miles or even 100,000 miles.

Regularly maintained cars and trucks can save money over their lifetimes by using less fuel and producing fewer emissions. In addition, the longer the life of a motor vehicle, the lower the probability of encountering costly repairs. Therefore, maintaining a car properly can lead to significant savings over time.

Before you start changing the fluids inside your engine, make sure the fluid levels are accurate. This begins right away when you first fill up the tank. Many people fail to do this because they assume no harm will come from leaving more than enough room in the tank. However, an inaccurate level could result in damage to the engine. Even worse, a low or empty battery could prevent ignition key access resulting in severe delays or shutdowns.

The most common and necessary maintenance for vehicles is routine oil changes. Changing the oil in your vehicle regularly ensures that the lubrication system stays clean and performs efficiently. As a general rule, you replace half the amount of oil in the filter when adding another quart of oil. While some people recommend replacing the oil about every 3,000 miles, others suggest checking after 5,000 miles. Either way, you should perform regular oil servicing to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

The recommended interval for an automatic transmission fluid change varies depending on the manufacturer. Most manufacturers recommend that you drain the old fluid and add fresh fluid before each change. If your vehicle uses an open differential, then the recommendation is to leave the gearbox fluid alone.

Many owners don’t know how to test the condition of the brake pads. Regularly checking and adjusting your brakes ensures optimum performance and safety. There are many things that a driver needs to consider when stopping his or her vehicle. Brake pad wear is typically indicated by the amount of fade – or reduced braking effectiveness – caused during hard stops. Checking the condition of the brake shoes, calipers and rotors is simple if done periodically. The best way to do it is to look for signs of fading (or discoloration) from friction material.

Most new vehicles come with special tools designed specifically for working under your hood. These tools include a socket wrench with various sizes as well as wire wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers. When changing your oil, remove these tools. They have sharp edges that can easily scratch the finish on your metal parts. Make sure to wrap them carefully and store them safely to avoid losing them. Also make sure to replace any lost or broken equipment.

Author bio:

Mohamad Omary is the Managing Director of Car Wise. Sell Any Car – CarWise Car Buyers – Dubai is a car buying company that has established itself as the go-to partner for those who want to quickly sell their used cars in the UAE; reaching 20,000 satisfied customers with their easy car selling process and excellent customer service. If you’re interested in finding out more about the most convenient way to sell a car in Dubai, visit CarWise.