If you drive your car five years after it’s paid for, you save the equivalent of a new car! Maintenance is cheap so be sure to maintain your car for overall economy during those years.
- Change the oil every 3,000 miles.
- In winter weather, wash your car once a week to save on salt damage, and do the underside.
- Keep it clean; service persons pay better attention to clean cars—your family does, too.
- Keep all your service receipts so you can follow the progress of problems with your car and make sure your service people can be held responsible for things not fixed. If you take your car in for a hard start and they replace the ignition for a result that shows no improvement, you will need to have them take some charges off the last bill or the next bill to fix the original problem.
- The timing belt should be replaced every 60,000 to 90,000 miles, even if it’s working.
- Keeping a car stored out of the weather can help with rusting and general maintenance.
- If you are traveling a long distance, rent a car for the travel to save wear and tear on an older car.
- Extended warranties are usually not worth their value, but AAA membership can help with roadside assistance and is not as costly.
- Remember dealership mechanics are not only more expensive but also have no vested interest in taking care of your car for a long period of time. Check AAA for reliable independent garages.
Fuel economy helps pinch pennies, too.
- If your car takes only premium gas, try a mix—half a tank of premium and half a tank of regular, or go for the medium octane.
- Drive at average speeds (55 mph), break easily, and take off from stops slowly to save on overall fuel cost. Drive like you have an egg under your gas pedal.
- Check your tire pressure every month. Under inflated tires take away from fuel economy.
- Air-conditioning uses gas, but open windows cut down on fuel economy as well. Try to be sparing with both.
- Avoid drag and don’t use carriers or put things on your car. Clean out your trunk, too.
- Fill up in the morning or when it’s cool. Heat expands gasoline, so you get more for your penny when it’s more condensed.
- Plan your route to avoid left-hand turns and tie ups to save on waste of gas from idling.
Join AAA. One can choose from either a basic membership, about $35, or a family membership, around $75. The membership is two-fold; it provides not only emergency towing and vehicle services, but AAA offers deep discounts on car insurance, hotels, airline travel, and car rentals to their members. They provide trip insurance, free maps, and many other discounts.