Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - If you're delaying the purchase of a new car, and trying to keep your car on the road as long as possible, you've got company.
A survey from auto expert R.L. Polk and company shows about two thirds of Americans plan to keep cars longer than usual, because of the economy.
Four out of five say they'll take better care of those cars, to help them last longer. Those feelings are translating into an increase in business for auto repair shops.
Bruce Fehlman's family runs a shop on South Midler Avenue in Syracuse; his family has been in the business of car care since 1929, and right now, it's a good business to be in.
“What we're seeing is people investing in their used cars: it might be $1,200, $1,500, $1,800 or $2,000 to get it on the road again with minimum care to get another couple of years out of it,” Fehlman said.
One recent customer opted to have nearly $2,000 worth of work done on her '99 intrepid, a car with 250,000 miles on it. “To her she can put that on a credit card she can spread it out however she wants to make her payments instead of getting another loan for a new car.”
Fehlman says he works with customers to prioritize repairs; what absolutely has to be done now, versus things that can wait, knowing that even $2,000 in maintenance and repairs, isn't easy to part with. “People still need to drive and were trying to piece things together and keep them on the road.”
Frank Janas, a Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES Auto Tech instructor joined us on The Morning News, to talk about things to look for:
Basic maintenance:
• Vehicle alignment every six months
• Keep your car waxed to keep rust away
• Hear a weird noise; get it checked
Keeping tires in good condition:
• Drivers should check their pressure weekly.
• Every other time you get your oil changed, rotate your tires.
The most common question received during our call-in session on the Morning News was “What should you do when your service engine light goes on?”
Janas says the most important thing is not to ignore it. For the do-it-yourself type mechanic, some garages will allow you to bring in the vehicle free of charge, and hook it up to their computer to determine what the error code is. In some cases, the issue is small, but in other cases, it could have a big impact on your vehicle.
Another common question is whether it’s worth keeping your vehicle after it reaches 100,000 miles. Janas says it all depends on what type of condition the vehicle is in. Your best bet is to visit your auto technician, have them take a look at the vehicle, and give you their opinion of what sort of problems they believe the vehicle may encounter in the future.
