Automobile Tips
Read these 22 Automobile Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Thrifty tips and hundreds of other topics.
Car Maintenance = Savings
You can save up to $100 a year on gas by keeping your engine tuned and your tires inflated to their proper pressure. This also saves wear and tear on your car in general, which means less repair jobs throughout the year.
Get a Free CARFAX Record Check™
Don't make a $10,000 mistake! Get a Free CARFAX Record Check™ ... your best protection against buying a used car with costly, hidden problems. CARFAX searches its nationwide database and provides a detailed report in seconds. (US only). Go to http://tinyurl.com/3gcto to find out how to get your FREE copy!
2-door or 4-door?
Four-door cars generally have lower insurance rates than two-door cars. Check the insurance rate on your prospective car before buying.
Don't Overload Your Car
Pack as little in your car as necessary so it has less weight to carry. If your car has less weight to carry, it uses less gas, therefore saving you money.
Steady Speed
Drive evenly with a steady foot. Avoid jiggling the accelerator. Cruise control helps maintain a constant speed. Following these instructions will help you increase your gas mileage.
Rain Repellant
If you use Rain-X or another water repellent on your windshield, consider this thrifty alternative: Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
Floor Mats Alternative
Floors mats are a great investment if you want to protect the appearance and resale value of your car. You don't need to buy expensive floor mats made just for that purpose. Pick up some inexpensive carpet samples and use them instead.
Clean Your Car
A clean car is more likely to get top dollar than a dirty car. So make sure you vacuum, wash and wax your car before you try to sell it.
Get a Package Deal
Some insurance companies will give you a package deal if you purchase more than one type of insurance with them. Therefore, if you buy auto insurance and home insurance, you could get a discount for having two policies with the same insurance agency. Doesn't hurt to ask.
Kelley Blue Book
The Kelley Blue Book website is the place to go to find the price of a car. This puts you in a better place to buy because you'll know the Blue Book value of the vehicle. Go to http://www.kbb.com/blue.html for more information.
Gas Shopping
Shop around for service stations with the lowest gasoline prices, but don't go too far out of your way, as it may not be worth the extra savings. Try to make a mental note of the prices at the gas stations you pass during the course of travel each day.
Security Counts
In some states, you can save on your auto insurance just for having security. For instance, if you have a fire extinguisher in your car, or a car alarm, you might be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance.
AAA to the Rescue
If you have an AAA membership, you may be eligible for an automobile insurance discount. Check with your local AAA chapter to see if your insurance company is on the list.
Consider Carpooling
Carpooling limits the amount of time you spend behind the wheel which reduces stress and saves you time. Secondly, carpooling cuts down on the wear and tear on your car, the amount of gas you use every week, not to mention reducing the pollutants in the air by having less cars on the road. You can carpool to and from work, kids' activities, etc.
Don't Speed
Cars get about 21% more mileage at 55 mph then at 70 mph. Better planning reduces the need for speeding, to get there in time. Also, if you don't speed, you won't have to worry about getting a speeding ticket - which costs money.
Automobile Safety from Consumer Reports
Go to www.consumerreports.org and then to the Auto Hub section of the website. Here you will find information on the safest new cars, complete with analysis of how well each avoids accidents and protects passengers during collisions.
Don't Keep Your Car Running
If you must stop for more than 30 seconds, don't keep your car running. The engine is more fuel efficient if your turn it off and restart it.
Be Ready to Bargain
Most people that are looking to buy a used car are doing so to save money, therefore, expect them to try to bargain with you to get the price down lower. To prepare yourself know the Blue Book value of your car, if it were new, think of all of the miles, dents, dings, rust spots, problems, etc. and try to come up with a fair price. Explain it all to the prospective buyer, so they know that you came up with the price in a logical way, not just picking a price out of a hat.
Miles Matter
If you don't drive far/often, you could be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance. Some insurance companies will give you a discount if you drive under "xx" amount of miles per year. Ask your carrier if this applies to your plan.
Inflated Tires
Keep tires properly inflated to avoid premature wear and tear, as well as mileage loss. Under-inflated tires can waste 5%-10% more fuel and cause tire blow-outs, which can cause an accident.
Brake Maintenance
Keeping your vehicle's brakes properly adjusted means less wear and tear, which means you replace your brakes less often.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Barbara Gibson |
