Owning a car is expensive, but you already knew that. Gas, insurance and car payments add up to thousands each year. So if you haven't made an auto budget and savings yet, now is a perfect time as any to start.

Now, many people account for those three things in a budget, but what many overlook are the more irregular, yet inevitable, repairs that will come your way. Here are four common repairs that surprise many but for which you should be prepared.

1. Brake Pads

Many people think of brakes as a permanent fixture. But it doesn't matter if you drive a Camry or Corvette—brake pads, the part of the brake that grips the disc to decelerate your car, will eventually wear down over time. When that happens, your brakes will make a painstaking screeching noise when you press down on the pedal.

However, there's no need to fret, as nothing is damaged just yet. That's simply a warning system letting you know it's time to replace the pads before they wear down significantly, thereby leaving you more prone to an accident.

A dealership or mechanic may charge you hundreds of dollars for the repair, but changing out your brake pads is one of the easier DIY jobs you can do from home. Simply stop by a local auto parts store to find what you need based on your car's year, make and model. From there, find an easy YouTube tutorial and follow your car's owners manual with nothing more than patience and a few hand tools.

2. Tires

Experiencing a flat tire can happen to anyone at any time, but many are surprised how much a full set of new tires can cost them when the tread wears down over time. Like brake pads, tires are another part of your car that will eventually need replacing. Still, there are ways to stymie this all together.

In addition to driving cautiously, ensuring your tires have a proper four-wheel alignment and are rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles are just two ways to guarantee they last longer. Moreover, an alignment can be performed by a mechanic to ensure your car doesn't sway a certain direction on the open road, while a tire rotation helps keep tread wear even across all four tires.

3. Windshield

The windshield is an interesting part of your vehicle. It's technically not a perishable item like brake pads and tires, but it can wear down over time if you have a long, daily commute. Over time, those tiny cracks and blemishes create something called "pitting" on your windshield.

These tiny fragments create a dirty, hazy look on the glass and are typically repaired by way of a total windshield replacement. Note: Drivers in the Southwest and other desert climates are especially prone to experiencing pitting.

Thus, the best way to prevent an expensive repair/replacement is to keep an insurance policy with a low glass deductible. To avoid rising premiums, make sure to not totally replace your windshield unless it's absolutely necessary.

4. Fluid Changes

We're not talking about oil changes here. In fact, changing out your transmission, differential and power steering fluids can be a laborious task, but one you don't need to undertake as often as changing out your oil. While this activity can be performed at home, it should really be left to the pros, especially if you're unsure about some of the finer details.

Additionally, changing out your transmission, differential and/or power steering fluids can run you more than $100 apiece, so it's definitely a cost to which you should pay attention in your repair budget.

Simply refer to your owner's manual to determine how often these fluids need to be swapped out. This way, you'll have this knowledge on hand in case a mechanic tries to take advantage of you by suggesting they be replaced more often than necessary.

Jim Burch is a copywriter from Phoenix and avid admirer of alliteration. His goals are to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, see all 30 baseball stadiums, and eliminate the improper use of "literally," but he figuratively can't even.