As people cut back they often ask 'is this auto repair really necessary?'

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16: Being in the Parts and Service Department at Bermuda Motors, a lot of my columns are about servicing your vehicle properly to help you get the most out of it.

While this is extremely important, we do get one question a lot, especially in this economic climate, which is, “Is this repair absolutely necessary?”

I am a stickler for regular vehicle maintenance, as I know the damage that can occur without it.

In addition, you want to make sure you keep your vehicle safe.

However, if money is tight, there are some repairs that can be put off.

Don’t worry so much about cosmetics

While dents, scratches and chipped paint may not look great; they don’t usually affect your vehicle’s performance.

For instance, getting your engine repaired would be much more important than getting a new paint job.

The same goes for interior repairs. It might be annoying to have a rip in your seat or a broken cup holder, but these are things that can be fixed or replaced when you have the funds to do it.

The only time you don’t want to put off body repair is if the paint is chipped to the metal.

It takes very little time for rust to form when the metal is exposed, which eventually, could compromise the body of the car.

In addition, as long as your view isn’t obstructed, a small chip in your windshield may not need immediate attention.

You do need to watch it, though, in case it starts to spread or get bigger at which point you definitely want to take it in for repair.

Oil leaks

As the lifeblood for your vehicle, the last thing you want to see is leaking oil.

In general, if oil is dripping from your car, it should be dealt with before it becomes too big of an issue. But not all oil leaks may be as bad as you think.

If you check the oil every day and make sure that you keep it at the proper level as outlined in the owner’s manual, a minor oil leak does not necessarily require instant action.

Let a mechanic diagnose where the leak is coming from first.

Some leaks are minor compared with others as seals fail, hoses develop cracks and fuel filters can leak if not installed properly. If the car isn’t burning oil, you may be able to forgo repairs for the short term.

Electrical issues

Obviously, if your battery or alternator dies, your vehicle won’t work and you will have to replace them.

However, other electrical issues such as a broken car radio, heater or air conditioner can be unpleasant but won’t get in the way of you being able to drive the car until you have the cash to fix them.

In tough economic times, it’s tempting for people to neglect the maintenance of their vehicles, and while in some cases it may be okay, for the most part I want to caution against this.

What may seem like a small repair now could turn into thousands of dollars in damage down the road.

Your vehicle is a huge investment so you probably don’t want to take that gamble.

The key to deciding which repairs need to be done now and which can wait is having a service technician that you trust.

A service centre that provides good customer service, not only offers quality work at a fair price, but also provides knowledge and expert advice from which you can decide what to fix now and what can wait.

For more information on automotive maintenance, contact Krishna King at Bermuda Motors: 292-0893 or [email protected]. Website: www.bermudamotors.bm.