Dodge Charger Maintenance Costs and How to Reduce Them
Dodge Chargers are probably one of the cheapest ways into a performance sedan. They are well-built, with a decent interior design and a sizable trunk. Besides, driving a Dodge Charger is pretty cool, thanks to the hi-tech features and high-performance engines. However, they tend to be relatively expensive to maintain. Luckily, this is where a reliable Dodge Charger repair manual would come in handy—but more on that later.
Maintaining a vehicle, no matter the model can be pretty expensive based on several factors. If you always wait for a component to go wrong before getting your car checked or serviced by a mechanic, it will cost you significantly more in the end. In contrast, staying on top of your maintenance schedule is always your best bet to keep maintenance costs as low as possible.
Of course, there is another way to save on services and expensive repairs in the future, and that’s doing some of the work yourself. Think you can’t do it? That’s what most people also think before they get their hands on a Dodge Charger repair manual. It contains all necessary information regarding maintenance and repair, including specs and even highly detailed procedures. In fact, it’s the same manual professional mechanics are using, and now you can also have it at your disposal.
That being said, since you want to buy a Charger and don’t intend to spend thousands on repairs (who does?), we have created this article explaining several factors that validate the cost of maintaining the vehicle, regardless of the model or year, and a couple of tips and tricks to keep maintenance costs on the lower side.
Enjoy!
Are Dodge Chargers Expensive To Maintain?
The most typical service for a car includes an oil change and oil filter change. Regardless, there are many other services your Dodge Charger may need from time to time, including:
- Air filter replacement
- Cabin filter replacement
- Battery inspection
- Brake pads inspection
- Brake system service
- Shock absorber testing
- Tire rotation
- Adjusting tire air pressure
- Coolant system inspection
- Charging system testing
- Inspecting for fluid leaks
- PCV valve inspection/replacement
- Brake fluid replacement
- Fuel system service
These services are all necessary on the Dodge Charger, regardless of the year or make.
According to RepairPal, Dodge Charger’s owners spend on average $652 annually on repairs. Compared to premium sedans, that’s not very expensive, but still higher than a Toyota Camry or a Honda Accord, for instance.
Luckily, with the help of a Dodge Charger repair manual, you can perform some of those tasks yourself, reduce the frequency of visits to the dealer, and save huge on labor costs. If you don’t already have one, eManualOnline has really great ones that won’t break the bank. A typical repair manual costs even less than a single oil change so no need to mention that it will pay for itself in a jiffy.
Dodge Charger Repair Manuals
The repair manual contains handy information on how you can perform troubleshooting and repairs on your Dodge Charger, following clear step-by-step procedures. Certified Dodge workshops use the same manuals to repair your car, including a complete engine rebuild.
However, you need to make sure that you purchased the right one—a 2010 Dodge Charger repair manual applies only to that particular MY. Similarly, if you own a 2008 model, you’ll need to buy a 2008 Dodge Charger repair manual and so on. That’s because carmakers make minor improvements every year, which necessitates changes in the repair manual. And you really don’t want to follow indications reserved for a different MY or you might do more harm than good here.
How To Fix Your Dodge Charger Yourself?
Unless you are a certified mechanic, fixing your car yourself requires following a comprehensive guide. No matter the problem at hand, you will find every troubleshooting procedure you might need in your car’s repair manual. From electrical diagrams to emission system specs, everything you need to keep maintenance costs as low as possible is in there.
But, although the manual is pretty comprehensive and covers a lot, serious repairs should be left for experienced auto mechanics to handle. Examples of such repairs include brake caliper, drivetrain, and engine issues. Of course, if you trust your abilities, nothing is stopping you from doing them yourself!
Are Dodge Chargers Reliable?
It’s worth mentioning that if you chose to go for a Charger, you could have chosen a lot worse. Indeed, Dodge Chargers are pretty reliable. Notably, the 2020 Dodge Charger enjoys an average 8.9/10 JD Power reliability rating, which is very good.
Older Dodge Chargers are also quite reliable and deliver excellent performance with a decent fuel economy rating. Still, no matter how reliable a car is, keep in mind that it is only so when regular maintenance is performed diligently.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, a Dodge Charger is not that expensive to maintain, considering the performance you get in return. Nonetheless, getting a Dodge Charger repair manual in the first place will help you save a ton once you learn how to fix minor car issues without having to go to a repair shop.
The best way to minimize how much you spend on repairs is by far to follow the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals you’ll find in a repair manual. Regular maintenance and checkups are your best option to detect faulty components at an early stage and prevent them from resulting in more expensive repairs later on.
Besides, we cannot overstate that the resale value does not depreciate as fast when a car is maintained correctly. Now, using a repair manual, maintenance will cost you a lot less, and you can also sell your car for more—what else could you ask for?
