The upkeep of your vehicle can be quite an expense - from initial purchase to insurance to maintenance. Sometimes we get the sinking feeling that every time we need a car repair, we're going to pay more than we should! So here is a list of measure that should at least reduce some of the ongoing expenses.
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 simple maintenance check can add up to big savings at the gas pump.
In most cases, using cruise control on the highway will save gas.
Change your air filter as soon as it get clogged, it's a false economy to leave it too long - a new filter can save up to 10% on gas charges. This is an easy fix that doesn't cost much to have done.
Stop and go traffic causes excess wear and tear on your vehicle. 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? Keep your gas tank filled. One benefit is that it will prevent the gas lines from freezing in winter. 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. These debris clog up the fuel filter and can cause carburettor damage as well.
It's not uncommon to have an electrical issue with your car that's easily fixed by replacing a 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. 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.
If you plan on purchasing a vehicle from an auction, do your research in advance. Many vehicles that have been damaged by floods and hurricanes are going on the market. 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.
Always be on the look out for other legitimate expenses that you can claim. 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. 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. 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. A dealer is under no obligation to offer a 3 day right of cancellation.
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!
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")