10 Ways to Save Money on Your Car at Costco

From a new set of tires to car washes, here's how you can save at Costco.

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Costco Auto Program

Buying a new car can be stressful, especially with all the wheeling and dealing involved at dealerships. With the Costco Auto Program, you can receive fixed member pricing on new and pre-owned vehicles at 3,000 dealerships throughout the country. The program is ideal for those looking to avoid the bidding war while still ensuring they get a decent deal. There are limited-time specials that are enticing as well. Here are 15 things you should always buy at Costco.

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car
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Insurance

Having partnered with Ameriprise, Costco members receive special discounts on home and auto insurance. Ameriprise says members have reported saving more than $555 on car insurance their first year after switching. Become an executive member and you can expect benefits like roadside assistance and lifetime policy renewability. These are the things you should never buy at Costco.

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Costco Car Battery

Car batteries can be costly, but if you go to Costco, you could save yourself a small fortune. Members usually get a full warranty on batteries purchased at Costco, and the price per item is noteworthy. While the retail giant only sells interstate brand batteries, they score high in expert testing, and are priced significantly lower (does $40 in savings sound nice?) at Costco than other stores, including Walmart. Don’t miss the secret code behind Costco’s prices.

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Via Merchant

Automotive Fluids

If you’ve given your car a name and you treat it like your baby, you might prefer DIY oil changes. In that case, be sure to skip local auto stores and head to Costco for savings on oil and other automotive fluids. Six-packs of Mobile 1 Advanced 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil are usually cheaper than other retailers, as have fuel system cleaners. These are the Kirkland products you should be buying at Costco.

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Repairs
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Car Repairs

If you’re a Costco member, but chose to forgo the auto program, you still have some valuable auto perks! Members can get 15 percent off parts, labor and accessories at the 3,000 dealerships that partner with Costco. Did you know you can buy these 15 tools for your workshop at Costco?

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tire
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Tire Installation

According to an analysis from Cheapism on the best chains for tire installation, Costco came in at number two. They charge $15 per tire, with the package including mounting, new rubber valve stems and nitrogen inflation. You’ll even get free lifetime rotations, balancing, inflation checks, flat repairs and a road-hazard warranty. If you’re heading to Costco for only mega rolls of toilet paper and diapers, we’re about to blow your world of shopping wide open.

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Car Wash

Getting a car wash at Costco is only going to set you back $7.99. If you’ve shopped around for a good car wash deal, you know that a price that low typically means you’re either washing the car yourself, or the wash is going to be the bare minimum. But at Costco, that measly price comes with a big offer. You get everything: a pre-wash, wash, undercarriage wash and rust inhibitor, rain protectant on car and windows and Armor All on the tires. You’ll also receive 14 high-power fans at the end to dry the car really well. Here are 12 tips and tricks to help you find the best deals and avoid potential headaches on your next trip to Costco.

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Car Rental

If your car is getting repaired, you might need a rental car to make sure you can still get to work, run the kids around and get your errands done. Or, perhaps you need a rental car while you’re on vacation. Blogger Meg of The Many Little Things blog swears that Costco has the absolute cheapest deals on car rentals. “They have–hands down–the best deals on car rentals,” she says. “In the past several years, I’ve shopped around over and over again to see if I can find anything cheaper, but Costco always comes in cheapest. Plus, when you book with Costco, you can add an additional driver for free, which most rental companies charge extra for otherwise.” Save even more money and score even better deals with these tried and true tips from Costco shoppers.

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Trunk Organizers

Because you buy a lot of things in bulk, as well as singular items for killer deals, your trunk is sure to fill up. For organized loading and easier unloading once you’re home, you should invest in convenient pop-up organizers, cargo bins or collapsible crates — all of which are a few dollars cheaper than anywhere else at Costco. Here’s how to shop at Costco without a membership.

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gas
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Gas

Getting gas at Costco is more than just a convenience. Costco gas is also significantly cheaper than anywhere else, which is one of the biggest advantages to having a membership. According to a 2017 survey done by Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), Costco’s gas prices are cheaper than major gas chains, as well as warehouse-club rivals like Sam’s Club and BJ’s. In fact, it’s the cheapest place to buy gas in the U.S. Here’s more on why you need to start buying your gas at Costco.

Alexa Erickson
Alexa Erickson is an experienced lifestyle writer who has contributed to Family Handyman, Reader's Digest, Martha Stewart, Bob Vila and Thrillist. She’s written more than 50 articles for Family Handyman on a range of topics, including home design, DIY home improvement projects, and storage and organization. Additionally, she runs her own website, Living by Lex, where she writes about home decor, travel, tech and more.