by: Simon Harris
We always seem to make sure our cars are ready for the winter, right?
But what about during the summer? Believe it or not, the heat takes its toll on your car, too, so it’s important to keep your car serviced.
Periodic maintenance on your car will save you tremendous hassle in the long run. Your vehicle should last longer and command a higher resale price, too! I made it a point to get my car serviced according to the dealer’s schedule, and when I traded it in, I got far more than I expected due to the stellar condition of the engine.
Now I know this isn’t bedtime reading, but the owner’s manual can be your best friend – assuming you read it! At least take a look-through periodically. How about while you’re waiting to get your oil changed?
Follow the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules. This could save you a major breakdown.
Have the air conditioning system looked over by a qualified technician. A check up here can save you a huge bill later.
The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. Prevent this problem by making sure the cooling system is flushed and refilled as recommended.
Have your car’s belts, clamps, and hoses checked by a technician. This only takes a few minutes and is usually inexpensive.
Change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or four times a year.
Replace air and fuel filters as recommended.
Get plenty of windshield washer solvent – we have a tendency to use a lot of this in the winter, so your fluids may be low.
Tires should be rotated every 5000 miles or so.
Check the spare tire to make sure it’s inflated properly. Also, make sure you have a jack along with it!
Transmission troubles equal money troubles equal emotional troubles! Have your transmission serviced periodically, and prevent big-time repair bills.
If you notice that your brakes are less efficient, get them checked out right away.
Have your battery checked periodically to see how much life it has left!
Inspect all lights and bulbs to make sure they’re working.
Carry a first aid kit, flares, jumper cables, a flashlight, and a cell phone.
There you go – a simple list to keep your car in great running shape. Remember, your car needs to be maintained and checked over even in the summer.
Taking care of your car takes only a few minutes each month, and pays you big dividends for the life of your vehicle!
About the author:
This article courtesy of http://www.mustang-answers.com
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by: Mike Collins
Gas prices have been spiraling out of control for months, and there is no end in sight.
Increased gas prices do not just hit you when you fill up your tank though. Just think
about it for a minute and you will realize how many other ways rising oil and gas
prices will cost you. The price of airline travel and shipping services are likely
to rise, as is the cost of many other goods as retailers are forced to pay more for
delivery.
You may even see your property taxes increase as towns have to pay more to keep their
police cars, fire engines, and garbage trucks on the road.
During times like these it is important to get as much bang for you buck at the gas
pump as possible.
So how can I save money on gas?
While there is little you can do about the market price of a barrel of oil, there are
ways to keep down your own personal costs at the gas pump. Here are some suggestions:
Don’t pay extra for premium gas if you don’t need it. Consult your owners manual
and stick to the recommended octane. Most cars run just fine on regular unleaded
gas and you will get no extra performance by using premium gas.
Shop around. Keep a watchful eye and you’ll be surprised at how much prices can
vary from one gas station to the next. I’ve seen differences of eight to ten cents
per gallon between gas stations directly across the street from one another. Seems
like a small difference but it adds up over time.
Schedule your errands to minimize drive time, or if possible walk.
Travel light. Keeping your car and backseat loaded down wastes fuel as it requires
more energy to move a heavier car. Take only the essentials (a spare tire, first-aid
kit, jumper cables, etc.) with you.
Slow down. The faster you drive the fewer the miles you will get per gallon.
Drive steady. Avoid quick stops and accelerations that waste fuel. Anticipate braking
ahead of time and ease onto the gas pedal rather than flooring it.
Maintenance is key. Keeping your engine tuned and tires inflated can make a
difference in your fuel consumption. Under-inflated tires create drag which causes
the engine to use more energy to propel the car. Plus, it is unsafe to drive on tires
that have too little or too air in them.
If you are in the market for a new car, consider models that are more fuel efficient.
Use the air conditioner judiciously. There are two schools of thought on this one.
The first says you will burn less fuel with the windows down and the AC off. The
second says that driving with the windows open creates drag, which wastes more fuel
than would be used if the AC was on and the windows up.
So which one is true? Well…both of them really. The car will consume more fuel
with the air conditioner on and the windows down, up to about 45-50 miles per hour.
As you drive faster, the drag caused my the open windows will actually cause high
fuel consumption.
So the rule of thumb is this: keep the AC off and the windows down when you are
cruising around town and on city streets. Once you reach the highway or about 50 mph,
roll up the windows and turn the on the AC.
Using these tips will help you save money on gas. While you may not notice a huge
difference with each fill up, the savings will compound with each fresh tank.
About the author:
Written by Mike Collins - http://www.saving-money-and-living-debt-free.com
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by: Terry Brown
Safety is a primary concern for all drivers, especially at night. Although there are fewer cars on the road, most fatal car accidents happen at night than any other time of the day. Our ability to see the road ahead is seriously impaired at night. Darkness can dramatically alter the driver’s ability to cope with even the most normal driving conditions. As we are more vulnerable to dangerous road situations at night or in low visibility, we should double our preparedness, alertness and common sense when driving at night. Preventive maintenance is one of the best ways to protect ourselves from potentially dangerous situations on the road. Here are some of the most important points to consider when driving in the dark.
The most important difference in night driving is visibility. At night, we become completely dependent on artificial sources of light to help us see and show us where we are going. Highway signs, pedestrians, and other vehicles are more difficult to see at night. Thus, lights, mirrors, and windows are doubly important at night. We should maintain clear, clean and scratch-free mirrors and windows. They should not be clouded by steam, frost, water droplets or tarnished by cracks or scratches.
Your entire car’s lighting equipments must be in good condition to ensure safety when driving in the dark. Headlights, Tail Lights, Corner Lights , signal lamps, license plate lights and others all play a big role in your safety when driving at night. Your lights should be turned on during the night especially during periods of rain, snow, hail, sleet or fog. Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Have it checked by a professional to make sure that all the lights work. Keep your headlights and your windshields clean. Remember that your lights are your only communication with other drivers on the road. Make sure that your windshield is clean, clear and unobstructed so that you can see what’s ahead of you. One of the most hazardous habits that that drivers do during the night is “overdriving” the headlights of their vehicles.
Headlights as well as other lights, mirrors, windows, windshields all play an important role in keeping you safe when driving at night. Thus, these auto parts must be maintained in good condition or replaced as soon as they get damaged or defective. Fortunately, you can easily get replacement GMC Parts including GMC Headlights, GMC Mirrors, GMC Window regulators and others. However, you should carefully choose the auto parts you are going to purchase. A good tip is to stick with a reliable and trusted auto parts store. If you want to shop for GMC auto parts the fast and easy way, then online auto parts stores are an excellent choice.
Inner Auto Parts is known as an excellent source of quality, relevant auto information. Now, Inner Auto Parts offers high quality and affordable replacement parts that are manufactured by the best auto parts makers in the industry. GMC Parts from Inner Auto Parts are guaranteed to be durable, high quality and comes at very affordable prices. GMC Parts such as GMC Fenders, GMC Fog Lights , GMC Radiators, GMC Spoilers and others are readily available. You can surely find the best GMC Headlights, taillights and other GMC lights here at Inner Auto Parts.
About the author:
Terry Brown is a 32 year old from Houston Texas, and an enthusiast for anything auto related. He is currently employed as a market analyst by one of the top car parts company in the area. His automotive articles provide valuable source of information for auto enthusiasts like him as well as to those in need of automotive research.
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