18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car
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
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!
