Paying monthly bills can become a game of pick-and-choose. So when the “check engine” light illuminates on the dashboard, if the car is still running, getting it serviced may be a low priority.



But automotive experts warn that delaying car repairs can lead to hefty bills.



“At least come in and have the car checked; that way you know what you’re facing,” said Sam Buscarino, owner of Sammy’s Auto on Niagara Street and West Tupper. “We’ll give you a list, so you can prioritize the work that needs to be done and you can budget for it.



“But if you don’t have a clear view of what’s going on with your car, you can get hit with all kinds of stuff at once — brakes, tires, transmission — and it can get really expensive.”



If a $100 transmission service goes undone, it can lead to $1,800 down the road for a new transmission. Cleaning your fuel injection system once a year for $100 to $120 can save you hundreds in repairs and improve your mileage. With a $12 hose, you can avoid more than $1,000 in repairs to your coolant system, Buscarino said.



Jeff Damude, director of AAA Car Care Plus for AAA Western and Central New York, said, “During this challenging economy, motorists are holding onto vehicles longer, making vehicle maintenance more important than ever.”



Following the maintenance schedule in your car owner’s manual and addressing problems in a timely fashion can save thousands on car-care costs and extend the life of the vehicle.



“Today cars are better built, but you still have to properly maintain them,” Damude said. “People think if they buy a new car, they don’t have to spend money on maintenance, but as soon as you drive that car off the lot, the parts start to wear out — the brakes, rotors, engine filters. All these things need to be maintained on a regular basis.”



“People don’t budget for car repairs; it’s a grudge purchase,” Damude said. “When there’s a failure, it’s always more expensive than maintenance, and it’s unplanned, inconvenient and catches a lot of people off guard.”



The maintenance schedule — the vehicle manufacturer’s prescription for care — is done in mileage intervals, such as 15,000, 20,000, etc., for comprehensive service of such parts as the air filter and spark plugs, shocks and struts. Experts strongly advise maintaining the appropriate fluid levels, including antifreeze and brake fluid, along with rotating tires and checking their pressure.



“You have to be aware of how your car feels,” Buscarino said. “Does it feel differently from before? Turn down your radio so you can hear what’s going on.”



Lauren Fix, a locally based national car-care expert and author of “Lauren Fix’s Guide to Loving Your Car,” said most cars on the road “have something wrong with them,” and she estimates there is $62 billion in undone maintenance each year.



But Fix said car owners can do some of these repairs themselves to save money. Motorists can check their tires by finding the recommended pounds of pressure on the sticker inside the driver’s door, said Fix. People who get it wrong are using the number on their tires, not their car.



“The correct tire pressure is never the number on the tire,” she said. “Every car has a door placard, and that’s what’s correct for the car to give you the best fuel economy, life of tire, safety and better braking and handling in water.”



Other do-it-yourself jobs include replacing the battery, air filter and windshield wiper blades, Fix said. Also, fluid levels can be checked by motorists by referring to their owner’s manuals.



Motorists who don’t want to do the work themselves can save by buying the needed parts at an auto parts store and having them installed there.



“Any parts store, not a mass merchandiser, will replace them for free,” she said.



Engine and transmission repair and other major work require an ASE-certified technician, she said.



When a mechanic is needed, experts say cost shouldn’t necessarily be the deciding factor when selecting who to use.



“Cheap isn’t always better,” Buscarino said. “What people get for cheap usually costs more.”



Instead, motorists should find a mechanic based on referrals from family members and friends. Comfort and trust should be the foundation of the motorist-mechanic relationship, the experts said.



“You should never be afraid to ask questions; the more you ask, the better you can be educated,” Damude said.



And when motorists make a match, they should stick with one mechanic.



“You want to stick with one place, so that all your records and repair history are in the same place,” Buscarino said. Vehicle owners also should be aware of the terms of their warranties. Damude suggests getting at least a two-year, 24,000-mile warranty that covers parts and labor.



“That way you don’t spend the money twice if you have to have the repair done again,” he said.



Getting back to that “check engine” light, most people are at a loss when it starts shining from behind the steering wheel.



“First thing I’ll tell you is tighten down your gas cap,” Fix said. “But if that doesn’t work, you need to see a technician. If you were sick, you’d go to the doctor. Most people, when their cars are ‘sick,’ they’re still) driving it for a couple of months.



“If you had a leak in your roof, would you leave it? No. You would get somebody to fix it, and that’s how your car should be treated.”



Do it yourself



There are several simple maintenance jobs car owners can do themselves:



 Replace engine air filters



 Replace cabin air filters



 Replace, jump or charge the battery



 Lubricate squeaky door hinges



 Check fluids: brake, transmission, power steering, plus oil



 Replace headlight bulbs



 Check tire pressure and add air



 Replace wiper blades



 Keep washer fluid full





From “Lauren Fix’s Guide to Loving Your Car,” by Lauren Fix