1The Rule of Thumb
Budget about $100-150 per month for a well-maintained used car, or roughly $0.05-0.10 per kilometer driven. Older or higher-mileage vehicles need more.
2Create a Maintenance Fund
Set aside money monthly in a separate account. When repairs come, you're ready. This is better than being surprised by a $1,000 repair.
3Know What's Coming
Review your owner's manual for scheduled maintenance intervals. Major items have predictable timing.
- Timing belt/chain: 100,000-160,000 km
- Brake pads: 40,000-80,000 km
- Transmission service: 50,000-100,000 km
- Coolant flush: 5 years or 100,000 km
- Battery: 3-5 years
4Track Your Spending
Keep records of every repair and maintenance item. This helps you predict future costs and identify if a car is becoming a money pit.
Key Takeaways
- 1Budget $100-150/month for maintenance
- 2Create a dedicated car fund
- 3Know your scheduled maintenance intervals
- 4Track all spending
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