Following This Dave Ramsey Advice Means You Won't Have to Stress About Car Repair Costs

Want to avoid ever worrying about car repairs again? Read this Dave Ramsey advice. 

Car repairs are a fact of life at some point as no one's vehicle runs perfectly forever. 

Unfortunately, unexpected problems with your vehicle can be a major source of stress -- especially if you aren't sure how to pay for them. You don't want to drain your checking account just to get your car back on the road. Putting repairs on a credit card could be even worse, since the interest charges can increase the cost above and beyond what you're already being forced to pay. 

The good news is, if you follow some basic advice from finance expert Dave Ramsey, you won't ever have to stress about car repairs again. Specifically, Ramsey recommends taking two important steps -- and you should listen to him on both of these issues. 

1. Keep up with routine maintenance 

The first thing you need to do to avoid expensive repair costs is make sure you're taking good care of your vehicle in the first place. 

"Keeping up with car maintenance is less expensive than paying for major repairs," Ramsey explained. This includes doing things like:

• Checking your tire air pressure monthly
• Following your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for oil changes
• Inspecting your car battery for corrosion and testing it twice annually
• Checking the brake fluid with each oil change and changing out the brakes when it becomes dark in color
• Changing the air filter in your vehicle cabin once every 12 months
• Rotating your tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles
• Check your coolant twice annually and changing it when necessary
• Changing your spark plugs around once every 30,000 miles
• Replacing your timing belt every 60,000 miles 
• Replacing your serpentine belt around once every 40,000 miles
• Completing your annual inspection, including your emissions inspection 

By keeping on top of these tasks, you can catch little problems before they turn into bigger issues. You can also take care of repair and maintenance tasks on a regular schedule rather than being caught by surprise. 

2. Create a sinking fund for car repairs

While Ramsey said maintenance is cheaper than big repairs, it still comes at a cost. And even a well-maintained car can develop problems if you keep it for long enough.

But, Ramsey has a solution for paying for these expenses without worries as well. He suggests "creating a sinking fund for car maintenance." To do this, "put a little in the fund each month, and you'll have cash on hand when you need it! Or if you know something big is coming (like you'll need new tires soon), stash even more away in that fund so you can pay cash." 

If you take care of your vehicle so it doesn't need a lot of expensive repairs, and you have money in a savings account for the repairs and maintenance tasks that are necessary, you shouldn't ever have to worry about car repairs again. You'll have the confidence of knowing you have these costs covered without having to stick them on your credit card when they creep up on you.