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 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
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by: David Rolle’
Vehicle owners nationwide have the same complaint; the high price of gasoline. It’s as if you’re going to work just to pay for the gas to fill up your tank. Everyone knows when the price of oil goes up, the cost of everything else rises. And the price of keeping your engine running smooth always puts you back in the hole financially.
People who dwell in larger cities constantly breathe in poisons released in the air. Research on this pollution problem is well established. Pollutants coming from cars and trucks are responsible for lung disease, lung cancer and asthma. But that’s not all. New research has shown that the poisons coming from our cars and trucks are responsible for increases in many types of cancers, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
An Easy Way to Help Stop Pollution and Save Your Lungs
A good suggestion would be to find a product that reduces toxicity in the air, while extending the life expectancy of your car’s engine. Ideally, the product should be effective when used in small amounts and be unique (can be used in gasoline, diesel, RFG, biodiesel, and propane). This product is known as a fuel catalyst, which has been used successfully for over 9 years by thousands of people, as well as city governments, large trucking lines, railroads, farming, and boating companies.
Save Money While Improving Your Mileage
Your product should save you money by reducing fuel consumption and engine maintenance, in addition to the positive environmental effects. If your product can supercharge your gas, you’ll spend less but drive further on every tank of gas! Getting up to 35ncrease in gas mileage would certainly be worth your money and time. Just make sure that your product is affordable, yet able to work in all gas vehicles.
To recap, you should look for a product that (a) doesn’t poison our air, (b) keeps our lungs healthy and strong, and (c) stop wasting money on gas and engine repair. Let’s keep Planet Earth fresh for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.
Copyright (c) 2005 by David M. Rolle’
About the author:
David M. Rolle’ is a Franchise Business Owner and understands the value and importance of a clean and healthy environment. For more information on fuel catalysts for your car and other gas engines, go to http://tinyurl.com/ch2sh.Also, you can claim your FREE Special Reports at USFuelsavers@yahoo.com
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by: Jakob Jelling
You car’s air filter is very important since it maintains some parts of your car system clean and free of dirt. If your air filter doesn’t work properly and dirt enters your car this might make it go through different problems, and therefore it is important that you check the filter and change it when necessary. Your mechanic can do it for you although it is very easy and you could do it yourself as well.
It is recommended that you change your car’s air filter once a year or every 15.000 miles if you live in an averagely dusty area. But, if you can check it once in a while and replace it as soon as it needs it this would be much better. Checking it is a very easy thing to do and replace it is not complicated once you learn how to do it.
If you wish to check your car’s air filter yourself and in an easy way, you can do so by using a light from inside pointing outside and check how bright it looks through it. If you see the light clearly, then your air filter is still good, but if you can’t see much of the light then it indicates the filter needs to be changed.
Newer cars have different air filters than older ones. If your car is rather new, its air filter is probably rectangular and you might find it located under the hood, near the radiator area or the fender wells. In order to change it, you must open it and take the actual air filter from it, replacing it by the new and then closing it again.
If your car is older, then the air filter will probably be of a big round shape and located near the engine area. It might probably be screwed, and all you might need to do is to unscrew the cover, let the air filter come out, and place the new one instead of it. You must pay attention in case it has any other attachment mechanisms such as clips which you would need to take off as well.
About the author:
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.autorized.comPlease visit his website to learn about auto maintenance, auto insurance, auto safety and much more!
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