Car maintenance
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18 Simple Ways To Save Money On
Your Car
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by: Jeff Slokum
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The
upkeep of your vehicle can be quite an expense - from initial purchase
to insurance to maintenance. And sometimes we get the sinking feeling
that every time we need a car repair, we’re going to get taken for a
ride. (pardon the pun!) Actually there are some ways to make sure you
don’t get a raw deal when dealing with a local body shop.
After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to
check out the prices for certain jobs. It’s always smart to get a
second opinion.
Car maintenance guide
How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This
will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also,
driving on “fumes” allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your
gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This
debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburetor damage as
well.
Sometimes a problem with your car’s electrical system results from a
simple blown fuse. Check to see if you have any blown fuses before
investing in a tow truck!
Keep track of how much oil your car uses. A sudden change in oil
consumption means you need to see a technician.
Car maintenance advices
Save your brakes by having your brake fluid changed every 30,000 miles.
Check your tire pressure once a month. This simple maintenance check
can add up savings at the gas pump!
car maintenance advices
Stop and go traffic causes excess wear and tear on your vehicle. Go
ahead and give your car a nice twenty minute ride at 55 mph on the
highway every couple weeks if you “major” in short trips.
There are other ways to save money on car expenses. Let’s look at the
insurance payments.
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 to $500. This will lower the cost of your insurance.
Talk to your insurance agent. 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. Ask your agent if
the company offers reductions for driver training courses, anti-lock
brakes, car alarms, air bags, mature drivers, good students or
maintaining a good driving record.
Before you purchase from a dealer, ask about the dealer's return
policy, get it in writing and read it carefully. Dealers are not
required by law to give used car buyers a three-day right to cancel.
Visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov to find cars that are fuel efficient.
Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per
gallon for gas.
In most cases, using cruise control on the highway will save gas.
Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as
much as 10 percent. This isn’t going to cost you an arm or leg either.
Do your homework when buying a car from an auction. Many vehicles that
have been damaged by floods and hurricanes are going on the market.
These won’t last long – leaving you with a flood of bills. Be a little
concerned if the carpet looks too new, and check carefully for signs of
rust.
Automobile maintenance
Carfax.com shares info on inspecting a used car to make sure you get
the best deal.
If you use your car for business, keep track of miles traveled so that
you can use this for a tax deduction. Get more info at irs.gov.
When you consider all the ways you can save money on your current
vehicle, you might be persuaded to put away the extra each month for a
new car down the road!
About the author:
This article provided courtesy of http://www.car-alarm-guide.net
Circulated by Article Emporium
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