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Looking to avoid that big car repair bill in the future? Hoping to save $100 on gas without going out and buying a hybrid? Here are some tips that I use with my vehicles that will help you extend the life of your car, cut your maintenance costs, and and save you some serious money.
1. Inflate Your Tires each Month: Make sure they are at the proper tire pressure. Low tire pressure burns 3.3% more gas. For two cars that could run $150 a year! But who wants to do it at the gas station? Head to Amazon and buy yourself a Viair Portable Compressor for about $40. It makes for a good and cost-effective present for your hubby and cuts down on the need to drive to a gas station.
2. Replace the Brakes Before You Hear Them: I see this all the time. Waiting an extra month to get the brakes done ends up costing you another $150 because the rotors need to be resurfaced. Make the time and take them in early. A good mechanic will check your brakes for free when you are getting other service done.
3. Measure your Mileage: Your trip meter can set off an early alarm that something is terribly wrong. When my car was new, I was getting 450 miles per tank, which isn't bad for an 18 gallon fill. As a vehicle gets older, it's normal to see a slight decline in fuel efficiency. But as my car approached its eighth birthday, the mileage spiked down 50 miles per tank for no apparent reason. It turned out to be a combination of things including the kind of oil I was using.
4. Use Manufacturers' Recommended Oil: This is an easy one but it can save you about 2% of your driving expenses or a $100 a year. Stocking up on a great sale of motor oil might seem like a great idea - but if it's not the manufacturer's recommended weight, the drop in fuel efficiency might end up costing you three times of whatever you saved.
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