Americans remain poor at the general maintenance of their own vehicles. One study reported by Fox found that 36% of Americans wouldn’t even know how to fix a flat tire, never mind a more complicated problem with internal machinery. Slowly changing this picture is the advent of smart tools and optics, which are giving car owners and amateurs the expertise and, if not, the information, to be able to get their car fixed in record time.
Investigative tools
As a result of their lack of acumen in repairs, Americans spend a lot on mechanic work. The Motley Fool estimate this spend at over $2,000 per year, and especially with younger generations like Millennials and Generation Z. Smart tools have allowed this price to come down by equipping motorists with more starting information. For instance, diagnostic tool manufacturers have highlighted how the spi borescope can provide in-depth diagnostic information to the driver before they even enter the mechanic. This is going to save money in the long term.
Labor rates
Mechanics are highly trained and rightfully garner a high wage. The AAA estimate that work conducted on their network ranges from $47 to $215 per hour. This is often the highest cost for motorists, and for ride share operators it can be a serious dent in their bottom line. Eliminating the amount of time that a mechanic will spend on your vehicle is an effective way to reduce overall costs – and not visiting at all can often be the best way to keep your wallet inside your pocket.
Doing it yourself
Using smart devices in conjunction the wealth of knowledge the internet provides can give you the opportunity to spend nothing at the mechanics. OneCentAtATime, a money-saving website, note that a huge range of car fixes, from oil filter changes to headlight bulbs and spark plug replacement can be done by the driver with just a little bit of equipment. Deploying your know-how along with these devices can help you to keep your car performing well and reduce the time off the road. This means less time spent in the mechanic and, often, when you do need to take the car to the shop, you’ll have more information to provide right off the bat.
Essentially, you want to try and do the work yourself. When ridesharing you’re going to need every minute you can to keep your income levels up. Being confident with your vehicle is an important first step.
