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Consumer Expenditure Surveys
Bureau of Labor Statistics > Consumer Expenditure Survey > Methods

Section 12 - VEHICLE OPERATING EXPENSES

Part A - Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, Parts, and Equipment

  1. OIL CHANGE, LUBRICATION, and OIL FILTER        (Include oil only if purchased for an oil change)
  2. MOTOR TUNE-UP, including -
    spark plugs   emission controls
    air/fuel filters   valve adjustment
    computer sensor   distributor cap, rotor   
    ignition wires   PCV valve
    ignition timing or mixture adjustment   breather/vapor/air filter element

  1. BRAKE WORK, including -
    anti-lock brakes   hydraulic system   parking brake
    bleed brake system   master cylinder   shoes or pads
    brake adjustment   machine drums/rotors   wheel calipers
   wheel cylinder

  1. BATTERY PURCHASES OR INSTALLATION
  2. TIRE PURCHASES OR MOUNTING
  3. TIRE REPAIRS
  4. FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCING, WHEEL ROTATION
  5. STEERING OR FRONT-END WORK, including -
    axle bearing/seals   CV joints/boots   steering box/linkage
    axle shafts   idler arms   studs, lug nuts
    ball joints   power steering fluid/filter   tie rods
    bushings   rack and pinion   wheel hubs
  1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORK, including -
    alternator belt   alternator/generator   gauges/instruments
    car computer   coil   switches
    ignition system   starter motor   battery charge
    voltage regulator   wiring
  1. ENGINE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, including -

    carburetor   fuel pump/lines/filter   pistons/rods
    choke   gaskets   timing chain/gears or belt
    crankshaft bearings   motor mounts   turbo charge
    fuel injector   oil pump/cooler/hoses
  1. AIR CONDITIONING WORK, including -

    compressor   condenser   motor/switch
  recharging
  1. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM WORK, including -
    coolant or filter   cooling fan/controls   fan switch or belt
    fan or water pump belt   hoses   pressure cap
    heater core   thermostat   water pump
    radiator   cooling fan relay


  2. EXHAUST SYSTEM WORK, including -
    catalytic converter   muffler   exhaust pipe
  hanger/clamps  resonator  manifold gasket
  1. CLUTCH OR TRANSMISSION WORK, including -
    clutch cable   clutch fork   flywheel
    hydraulic system   master cylinder   pilot bearing
    rebuilt transmission   safety switch   shaft seal
    transaxle   transmission filter
  1. BODY WORK OR PAINTING, including -
    convertible top   doors   sanding
    crash repairs   glass replacement   T-roof
    window repair/replacement   rust proofing   vinyl top
  1. SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT, including MacPherson struts
  1. DRIVE SHAFT OR REAR-END WORK, including -
    axle fluid   axle mounts/bushings   grommet
    CV joints   differential   rear wheel bearings
    rear axle   rear wheel axle seal   universal joint
    suspension   tie rods   coil or leaf springs
  1. VIDEO EQUIPMENT OR INSTALLATION, including -
   GPS navigational system with screen   satellite receiver, In-Motion Satellite receiver
    televisions and combinations of
  TVs with VCRs and/or DVD players		    video game consoles
  1. AUDIO EQUIPMENT OR INSTALLATION, including -
    antenna   radio   tape player
    CB antenna   speakers   satellite radio equipment
    CB radio   stereo equipment
  1. VEHICLE ACCESSORIES OR CUSTOMIZING, including -
    alarm system   fender skirts   spoilers
    bike/ski racks   luggage rack   steering wheel covers
    bumper guards   running boards
    carpeting   seat covers
  1. VEHICLE CLEANING SERVICES OR CLEANING SUPPLIES, including -
    vehicle detailing services   vacuuming   boat cleaning services
    upholstery sprays   waxes   car washes
    cleaning mitts   protective coating   wheel cleaning supplies
  1. OTHER VEHICLE SERVICES, PARTS, OR EQUIPMENT, including -
    battery cables   jack   charcoal canister filters
    brake lights   light bulbs   windshield wipers
    upholstery work   speedometer cable   heater repair
    gas cable/cap/can   vent filters   hub caps
    gasket sets   wheel lugs   gasket sets
    headlights   wheels/rims   tire/wheel combination

Go back to Section 12, Part A »

 

Last Modified Date: April 12, 2011