WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsDangers of skimping on car repairs during tough times

Dangers of skimping on car repairs during tough times

by Meg Bonacorsi

SCHOFIELD (WAOW) -- Even if you're not in the market for a new car, that doesn't mean you shouldn't maintain the one you own.

But during these tough times, when we're forced to cut corners, sometimes a car repair is one of the things to go.

Mike Molitor, owner of Auto Select in Schofield says, "People are more conscious of the cost of repairs and more conscious of the money available to make the repairs."

But some are just steering clear of their mechanic altogether.  Molitor says that's a bad idea, "These small preventative services are maintenance that they could have done that is under 100 dollars today and turns into a huge expense."

He says, while some issues, like fixing a loud muffler, can wait others should always be maintained. They include fluids, brakes, belts, lights and hoses. If you can't pay for all repairs at once, you can ask your mechanic to prioritize.

Molitor says, "We'll give them an immediate and then say we can do this a month from now and we can do this repair a month from now."

Some mechanics offer finance plans and work with you to come up with a payment plan.

Of course you also have the option of changing the oil and checking the fluids and air pressure in your tires, right at home.

Online Reporter: Meg Bonacorsi