Effortless Ways to Save on Basic Auto Maintenance
Clearly the running and maintenance of you vehicle is a big expense especially if you factor in gas and insurance. Sometimes we get the sinking feeling that every time we need a car repair, we're going to pay more than we should! So check out this list on ways you can at least reduce some of the regular running costs.
Be aware, that you are applying an extra 10 cents per gallon of gas for every extra 5 miles an hour your travel over 60 mph.
Check your tire pressure once a month. This one simple check can save you a surprising amount at for your gas mileage.
Whenever possible, use your cruise control which will also typically save money on gas.
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. This won't cost you too much to fix.
Inner city stop and go trips cause a lot more wear on your car. Go ahead and give your car a half hour trip at 55 mph on the highway every couple weeks if you typically drive only for short trips.
What about some pre-emptive maintenance? A simple trick is to try and keep the gas tank full - or at least don't run too low. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also if you allow the tank to run too low, you run the risk of getting dirt particles from the lower layers of the tank into the fuel lines. These particles can cause carburettor problems or they can also block the fuel filter.
Sometimes a problem with your car's electrical system results from a simple blown fuse. So before calling an expensive tow service check to see if it's possible you only need to replace a fuse.
Keep track of how much oil your car uses. If your car starts to burn through more oil than usual, this is a sign you might want to take it in to have it checked.
Avoid having potential braking issues by replacing the brake fluid every 30,000 miles.
Do your homework when buying a car from an auction. It's not unknown to have autos sold at auctions that have serious flood damage. These won't last long - leaving you with a headache in the future. Be on the look out for sign of corrosion or for carpeting that has been recently replaced.
If you use your car for business, keep track of miles traveled so that you can use this for a tax deduction.
There are other ways to save money on car expenses. One area you might examine is your insurance costs. If you've budgeted for possible out-of-pocket expenses in case of a car accident, you might want to consider increasing your insurance deductible. Get some advice from your insurance representative If your car is as old as the hills, you might want to drop collision coverage to save money. Car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts. For example, they may offer insurance discounts for car alarms, safe driver discounts, anti-lock brakes or no claim bonuses.
If you are buying a car from a dealership, make sure you read and understand their return policy. Dealers are not required by law to give used car buyers a three-day right to cancel.
If you follow all the advice from this article, you may be able to save enough money to put down a healthy deposit on your next car before the old one becomes too much of a liability!
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