Car part replacement can cost unprepared automotive owners thousands of dollars a year. Fortunately, with the proper care and research, you can minimize the damage to your wallet. Bearing this in mind, let's look at a few maintenance tips to keep your car parts intact and operating.

First of all, increase your fuel efficiency. A poorly tuned car can guzzle up to 33 percent more fuel per year than a well-tuned car. Extra fuel costs alone can add up to more than $200 a year. Along those lines, play conservative when it comes to changing your oil and replacing your fluids. You may not enjoy shelling out $100 to lubricate your transmission, but it's far more economical to play it safe. Replace your air filters often, preferably once a month but definitely before they reach their maximum life. To save on replacement costs, you can clean your filters yourself with an air hose.

Another way to save on replacement car parts is to keep your tires properly maintained. If tires wear evenly and stay balanced, your car will wear its parts evenly. If you fail to rotate your tires and thus wear them unevenly, you'll get asymmetric part wear. You'll then have to replace parts on a staggered basis, which can be annoying and costly. Moreover, asymmetric tire wear can lead to deflation and road accidents.

Finally, check your suspension and shock absorbers. Worn out shocks and inadequate suspension can strain delicate parts and cause your engine to run inefficiently. Particularly if you're souping up your car with performance aftermarket parts, be aware of any asymmetries in your vehicle and respond to part problems as soon as you identify them.