One of the biggest expenses you could face as a driver is car maintenance and repairs. Although these may take a backseat to insurance and loan repayments, you still need to budget for surprise costs and regular preventative maintenance. Planning for these expenses may be daunting, but there are ways you can keep your budget in check. Be sure to remember these three tips for keeping your car maintenance bills manageable. 

1. Brush up on your knowledge
Even if a mechanic is the one doing the actual repairs, you should have a basic understanding of the tasks that need to be completed. The Internet makes it easy to troubleshoot potential issues and have a general idea of what the diagnosis will be. This allows you to budget for likely tasks and avoid being blindsided by major repairs. If you think something may be wrong with your automobile, make sure you take the time to compile a list of symptoms or red flags you've noticed. You can pass along this information to ensure a mechanic is examining all aspects of the car. 

2. Search for special deals 
Standard maintenance, which could range from oil changes to tire rotation, may not seem so costly. However, these relatively low-key procedures can add up to an expensive investment over time, which means you should constantly be on the lookout for ways to save. Whether you use coupons or build a relationship with a mechanic to have a trusted advisor, the effort could pay off in the long run. 

3. Make the change when it's needed
At some point, the extensive repairs your car needs will become too much of a money pit. The last thing you want is to be pouring cash into a vehicle – especially if you're paying more than the car is worth. Know when to cut the cord. Take a moment to look over your finances, including figuring out how much your current ride is worth and determining how much you're funneling into it. 

You can find a great used car to invest in at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans, any of which could meet your needs. Search for an option that offers high quality at a low price. You can even work with the financing department to secure a loan and keep your expenses low.