Money Saving Car Tips

Upkeep on your car can be quite expense and get out of control QUICKLY, initial purchase, insurance and of course maintenance just to name a few. So before you “get taken for a ride” here are some money saving tips to stop the frequent trips to the mechanic.

By keeping your gas tank filled you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. At the same time driving on “fumes” will allow pieces of dirt from the bottom of your gas tank to make its way through the fuel lines as the last drops of gas cycle through. This debris can and will clog your fuel filter and can cause damage to the carburetor. Also replacing dirty and or old air filters can you can improve your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10%.

When there is a problem with your cars electrical system dont go into a panic mode just yet this could be from a simple blown fuse. So check to see if any fuses are blown before calling a tow truck . . . as this counts as an auto insurance claim when dealing with some insurance companies.

Keep an eye on how much oil your car uses. If you see a sudden change in your vehichles oil consumption you may need to see a local body shop SOONER than LATER.

By changing your brake fluid every 30,000 miles and you can extend the life of your brakes and rotors.

Be sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month. This will add up at the gas pump. Also spotting a tire that is running low on air may be cheaper than waiting to have a blow out and replacing the whole tire.

The constant stop and go traffic when you are going to the store or even work causes wear and tear on your vehicle, give your car a joy ride and go on a twenty minute ride on the highway every couple weeks if you rarely give your car time to run during the average work week. In most cases, using cruise control on the highway will save gas.

For more money saving tips that have to do with car expenses, lets look at your auto insurance payments. If you have or are able to set aside money for out of pocket expenses in the event of an auto accident, you might want to consider increasing your deductible on your car insurance to $1000. This will lower your monthly car insurance payment, and over time you will have saved over $1000 dollars if you have to ever have to file an auto insurance claim. If you have an old car another option to save on auto insurance would be to drop the collision coverage. Car insurance companies have a variety of “hidden” discounts to help save you money. And if you dont ask, your agent probably wont tell. For some other money saving discounts see if the company offers price reductions for driver training courses, car alarms, air bags, anti-lock brakes, students discounts or even for previously maintaining a good driving record.

Do your homework and be careful when buying a car from an auto auction. Many of these vehicles have been damaged in floods and hurricanes and are finding their way on to the market. Be sure to check carefully for signs of rust. There are even websites that give detailed information on used cars to make sure you are getting whats offered, for a small fee. The dealer can also get a CarFax for you, BUT MAKE SURE they are showing you the CarFax for the vehicle being discussed, which you can verify by checking that the VIN numbers match. And when buying a vehicle from a dealer always ask about their return policy . . . get it in writing and read it carefully.

When it comes to getting your vehicle serviced you should always have a few recommendations on hand for honest mechanics because you never know when something is going to go wrong, and ALWAYS call around to get prices for jobs if you are paying out of pocket for them.

It doesnt cost anything to get a second opinion . . . but you will pay for it later if you dont.