How to Save Money Operating and Maintaining Your Car

You do not need to be a mechanic to save money operating and maintaining your car. If you follow a few simple suggestions, you will exceed the current life expectancy of your car.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car manual

1. The longer you own your car and maintain it economically, (cost per mile of operation) the more money you save. A car that is operated for 250,000 miles costs less than the purchase of 3 cars that are driven 80,000 miles each.

2. Replace parts before they wear out and damage other parts. Brake pads that are replaced at 75% of use will extend the life of other brakes parts.

3. Your tires wear out in the front faster than in the rear. Rotating your tires on a schedule of miles driven will save you the cost of replacing front tires. Be sure to buy the correct tires for the job for which they were intended. Ask about the correct tread design for the type of weather and road conditions you will be encountering.

4. You warm up you body before you engage in physical activity, if you fail to do so you will be prone to injury. The same applies to your car. Starting your car and letting it idle and driving for five minutes before you get on the freeway will ensure your car is ready to operate as it was designed.

5. The faster you drive the more gas you use and although time is money you will significantly cut the life of your car because the car has to work harder than it was designed to do.

6. Gasoline comes in different grades from suppliers in your geographic area. Depending on the conditions of your driving, the time of year, your cars performance will vary. Depending on the type and brand of gasoline and the car you drive your gas mileage may be reduced or enhanced. Using a gasoline with lower octane than the car was designed for will cause engine damage and reduce your gas mileage.

7. Plan your car route each time you use it to decrease the number of trips you need to make including purchasing your gas at discount gasoline stations.

8. Operate your car efficiently. Rabbit starts or drag racing 20 feet at stop lights and signs eats money. Blasting off on freeway on ramps eats money. Using your brakes to stop on a dime vs. planning on stopping and slowing down eats money. Using your car to haul garbage to the dump, fire wood, or using all five seats with adults and their luggage is eats up gas and money.

9. Simple maintenance you can do yourself. If you can’t do it yourself, most discount part suppliers will do it for free. You do not need to have a dealer or repair garage charge you $10 to $25 to put on wiper blades, air filters, fuel filters, change a battery, or replace a bulb. AAA (American Automobile Association) will come out and put in your discount battery as part of your membership.

Tips & Warnings

• Do unto your car, as you would have your car do unto you.
• Your car is like an unhappy child; if it is unhappy it will let you know by making noises you do not want to hear.

[godfather25]

on 11/14/2009 Great article on saving money operating and maintaining your commuter car.