18 SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAR

18 SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CAR
BY: JEFF SLOKUM
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.

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.

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!

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 [2] 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.

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 [3]