Money Saving Tips for your Car

[Wifezilla]

Windshield Repair: If you get a small chip or ding in your windshield, fill the damaged area with super glue. This will keep any cracks from forming and spreading. Works best if it is not in a direct line of site.
(I have 2 chips filled with super glue. One I did 2 years ago. No cracks and I don't have to replace my windshield yet.)

Don't skimp on oil changes! Make sure to change your oil frequently. Depending on your car model have it changed every 3000 -5000 miles. This one easy thing that can keep your car going with very little cost to you.

Improve your gas mileage: No matter what the price of gas, there is no reason to spend any more than you have to on gas. Proper tire inflation is a good way to make sure your car stays fuel efficient. Another way to improve mileage? Wash your car! A clean car can reduce gas costs by 7%. http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/103164/article.html

Your turn!

 

[SKR8PN]

Being a professional auto tech that has operated his own shop for over 30 years.....I agree with everything you stated with the exception of the windshield thing. The windshield in today's automobiles are a structural part of the car.That means they are under a lot of stress all the time. Depending on how deep they are, those chips can and will spread no matter how much super glue you put in them. About the only thing the glue might do is make the chip less noticeable. Another thing ...if you do the super glue thing, be sure you use a razor blade to cut the excess glue off flush with the surrounding glass. Otherwise you may create problems with your windshield wipers.

 

[Wifezilla]

Like I said in my post, I have 1 repair that is 2 years old already. I also did this on my old Jimmy. A gf of mine when through 3 windshields in the same time period I drove around with super glue on my windshield. Maybe because I tend to drive older cars, it hasn't been an issue for me. For the price, it is worth a shot.

Our "newest" car is a 97 VW golf with 130,000 miles on it. (See, I told you frequent oil changes keep em running strong )

Great tip on looking out for the wipers.

 

[enjoy the ride]

Eliminate the rolling junk yard you carry around to reduce weight- I periodically empty everything out because I tend to collect lots of stuff in the truck.

 

[Wifezilla]

Great one! I recently emptied my hatch back. I think I was carrying around an extra 150lbs in that little Golf!!!!

 

[enjoy the ride]

On this general idea, I brought my truck into have the oil changed yesterday after having waited for a couple of months longer than I normally do. The business was very slow- hardly anyone in the waiting room at all during the whole time I was there.
I said to the receptionist that I was surprised as I would think with not buying cars, there would be more repair work.
She said that many people were defering service- but that the number of cars towed in had increased a lot. She felt it was due to the defered service . ????
Anyway, I felt bad about delaying service as I certainly would be hard put to replace my truck. I will try to make sure that gets done.

 

[Beekissed]

Tire rotation and balancing can cut your gas mileage as well and preserve the life of your tires.

Adding some fuel injector cleaner to your gas every once in awhile is good.

I have an older, foreign make vehicle and my previous mechanic was a specialist on foreign cars. He advised me to use an oil additive called Engine Restore(silver can) to keep my engine running more smoothly and to also use 20/50 wt. oil.

I get a hard time every time I've ever had it changed by a shop when I mention the 20/50! These guys seem to think I'm some dumb woman who doesn't know the proper oil to use, as 20/50 is usually used in high performance engines. I get the rolled eyes, the shrugs, the arguments....I stand up to them all! I always tell them, "You change oil for a living, my mechanic has worked on foreign cars that cost more than you make in two year's time for the past 25 years~I think he knows a little more than you do on this subject! Put in the oil I requested, please!"

As a result, I am now doing 208,0000 miles on my 1998 Mazda MPV and have had one repair in the 3 years I've owned it~an alternator. I change my own oil most of the time anyway, so I can usually avoid the oil argument!

 

[Cassandra]

My insurance company pays to repair windshield chips at no cost to me. (farm bureau)

Also, read your manual. I get my oil changed every five thousand miles because that's what the manual says do. Everywhere I go to get the oil changed, even the DEALER which really aggravates me, they push and push for the every three thousand mile changes. I can't stand that little three thousand mile sticker. LOL

Drive slower (I save a quarter tank per week that way)

Also had a mechanic at my dealership insist that running a/c had no effect whatever on my gas mileage. But in the fall, when I stopped running the a/c, my gas mileage improved by about three miles per gallon.

Cassandra

 

[Beekissed]

Cassandra, I've been driving slower also and its really helped! And I'm rather enjoying it.....AND I seem to get there on time anyway!

 

[FarmerChick]

Cassandra is right. Read your manual for your maintenance on the car.

Most people only open the manual to learn how to program the radio and CD player and such....LOL

You buy a big ticket item, at least read how to maintain it.