What should i do about my Auto Loan in regards to my Credit Score?

[Anonymous]

So i have a 72 month auto loan (Fifth Third Bank) i started August 2017 (expires 2023). Yesterday i paid the balance down to $148  from $23,000 ( a lot of principal payments) while my monthly payment was $375. I paid it down really low in hopes of not requiring to have any monthly payments for a while and I can keep the auto loan active and have my credit score benefit from the active loan. However after I paid it down yesterday, I noticed my next payment hasn't changed and it shows I still have to pay the balance of 148 by the next month.

My question is, since I paid most of it off very early why is there still a payment due? And if I decide not to pay the that payment next month, will it be reported to my credit score of a missed payment? If not I wouldn't mind 4% interest to build up on a low low balance.

Appreciate all the feedback!

[Brian_Earl_Spilner]

In the case of Chase, only making extra payments will allow you to skip payments. Paying principal only lowers the balance and the interest you would pay. Skipping your payment will result in a late payment on your report. You only had to pay it down to just under 30% before your score would start to go back up as the balance went down.