Money-Saving Tips to Take Care of Your Car

Scoring a good deal when buying your new car doesn’t mean you have actually saved money.  Maintenance will knock out thousands from your pocket if the vehicle’s upkeep is costly. Luckily, there are at least X simple money-saving tips to take care of your car.

At a red light? Shift to neutral

Sitting at a red light can last minutes during rush hour, so shifting the can into neutral is a good idea. This move puts less strain on the car’s engine and transmission, as the engine won’t have to run while you sit motionlessly. Shifting to neutral is especially useful for vehicles with automatic transmissions and new cars, as opposed to used cars.

Actually, read the owner’s manual

Car owners find it funny that a new vehicle comes with an owner’s manual as if they’ve just purchased a TV set. However, the manual doesn’t teach you how to drive but contains valuable information on proper maintenance procedures and a timeline of checkups and replacements of various parts.

For instance, the manual contains tips on how to jumpstart the particular model, where the spare tire is located, and the best fuel to put in your car.

Make the tires last

When you buy a new set of tires, whether winter or summer (performance), their true life will depend solely on your driving style. Extending the tires’ life includes obeying speed limits, avoiding curbs when parking the car, and lowering the number of fast starts & stop sequences. Needless to say, you shouldn’t burn rubber just for fun’s sake.

Don’t ignore dashboard lights

Modern vehicles are equipped with all sorts of high-tech gadgets, but the best way a car “communicates” with its driver is through dashboard lights. They can malfunction, but when correct, don’t ignore the lights! Once the light turns on, there is an issue with the car, hopefully a minor one.

However, if you ignore the warning lights and postpone driving the car to a mechanic’s shop, the damage will increase over time, eventually increasing the final cost of repair. 

Save on car detailing

After you ensure the machine is running impeccably, you just need to mind your driving to avoid major expensive repair jobs. However, detailing is something most car owners cannot resist. When choosing the best car detailing deal, look for the best price-to-service ratio.  

Check the car’s brakes

The most critical safety feature of any type of vehicle is the brakes. Brake pads wear out over time, so they need regular inspection and, eventually, replacement. 

When you hear the brakes produce a scraping sound accompanied by the shuddering and vibration of the brake pedal, the pads need replacement. If the brakes fail while the car is in motion, you could lose more than money.

The longer the trip, the better

As mentioned, the more times you start and stop the engine, the more wear and tear is exerted on the car. Running errands around the city shortens the life of your vehicle, so do your best to use the car only on longer trips that don’t involve a lot of stops. Of course, city dwellers who commute by car to work will find this challenging, but they can go shopping once a week instead of twice, for example. 

Revise the car insurance policy from time to time

Your earnings and coverage change over time, so revising the policy with the insurance company will help you lower the premium. Looking at Allstate insurance reviews and reviews of similar providers, can you choose a better insurance plan according to your car brand, model, and other needs.

It may be a good idea to do a gap insurance comparison if this applies to your vehicle. You should never just go for the one you think is fine without doing thorough research and checking in on it before you insurance is up. You can miss out on a lot of deals and reductions if you turn a blind eye to it.

Wash the car at a large self-service carwash

From bird droppings to road salt in winter, your car’s bodywork is seldom clean. That’s why you should wash it whenever you get the opportunity.

Professional carwashes can be expensive, and washing the car takes the entire afternoon, provided you have a driveway. Luckily, large self-service carwashes allow you to have a quick wash for a bargain price.

However, you may need to fall in line to get a slot in the carwash, as they are popular, especially during weekends. You can still consider washing your car at home. You can use a sponge, and you may be in need of a pressure washer to help you finish the job quickly. It will also save you time and money while ensuring that every part of your vehicle is clean.

Regular and proper car maintenance is necessary, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. From car detailing to washing your four-wheeler, you can always get a good deal if you search a bit, both offline and online.

Be careful where you tank up

Every car uses a specific type of fuel, but not all powers are of the same quality. Local gas stations often use low-quality, unfiltered fuel, which can devastate your car’s engine over time. Saving money on petrol is only worth it without jeopardizing fuel quality.  

Once you grasp the basics of car maintenance, it becomes second nature to you. By listening to the engine, you’ll be able to diagnose if something is wrong with the car. However, there are still money-saving tips even seasoned owners have yet to learn.