Monday, November 15, 2010

Car Maintenance: 8 Tips to Cut Down on Costs

Car Maintenance: 8 Tips to Cut Down on Costs

Link to Financial Highway

Car Maintenance: 8 Tips to Cut Down on Costs

Posted: 15 Nov 2010 04:15 AM PST


Unless you live in a big city where you can take public transportation to work, your car will be an expensive necessity. Having a vehicle gives you freedom to move around without much planning. Just grab your keys and head out the door. Like your parents might have told you growing up, this freedom won't come cheap. Car maintenance costs can easily take up a large portion of your income, so how can you reduce on these costs without hurting your car?

Well, here are 8 ways to cut down the cost of one of life's necessities – your car maintenance.

Photo: Mauro

1. Keep up with tune-ups
If you don't keep up with your tune-up you could end up with a really expensive engine problem. Regular visits to your mechanic can really help you avoid any major problems.

2. Keep track of your tire pressure
Doing this on a regular basis will make driving much safer for you. Not to mention your tires will last longer. In the end, you'll save more money on tires since you won't have to replace them as often. It's also been reported that if you're tires are at the right pressure, you'll end up losing less gas.

3. Tire rotation
You should technically rotate your tires when you get an oil change. If you live in a state where it snows a lot, it's important to rotate your tires before and after winter. A tire rotation will spread out the wear and tear of your tires. It also balances out the suspension, which prevents wearing out your shocks. Repairing these two things can really be expensive, so don't neglect your tire rotation.

4. Know what type of fuel to use
Don't use a higher grade of fuel than what's needed. You'll end up spending a lot more than you have to. While you won't hurt your car, you will hurt your wallet.

5. Drive your car at a steady speed
Constantly pressing and letting go on your pedal will actually make you use more gas. Driving at the same speed will reduce the amount of fuel that you're car is using.

6. Keep track of fluid levels
Checking your fluid levels on a regular basis can really save you hundreds of dollars a year easily. Checking your manual to see how often certain fluids need to be changed and keep track of what you're changing and when.

7. Compare prices on gas
Checking local gas prices can really save you a lot of money. But only check gas stations near your home, work or school. It's not worth driving an extra 10 minutes to save five to 10 cents a gallon.

8. Shop around for insurance
Car insurance can cost you a pretty penny, so it's important to do some shopping around to find the cheapest quote. Many insurance agents will give you discounts when you're eligible.

Doing these things can really help you save money. You shop around to find car prices, so why not save money on your car's maintenance. There's no need to spend extra money if you don't have to.

Abraham Jackson, Jr. is a thrill-seeker. From fast cars to spicy food, he is interested in anything that will push his limits. Abe has a B.A. in Communications, and has recently started blogging. You can follow him at twitter.com/abejaxjr.
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