14 Tips That Can Save You Time and Money

In today’s world, cars are a necessity for most adults. Whether you have a lengthy commute or you’re paying your family a visit, your life most likely requires a reliable mode of transportation. On top of the annual price hikes instilled by nearly every manufacturer to buy your car, maintenance costs could bleed your savings account dry. To combat the ever-rising cost of buying and maintaining a car, we came up with some great ways to keep your wallet fat and time on your side.

Use your seat warmers more often

If you have a seat warmer function, put it to good use and use it more than the heater. Not only can it keep you warm, but also it can keep your takeout or pizza warm, to a certain extent.

 

Air out the car

In a hot car, open one window, and then open and close the opposite door a few times. Doing this pushes the cooler air from outside into the car while pushing the hot air out. This is a great way to burn less fuel by using the air conditioner

 

Forget about those air fresheners

Dryer sheets serve as an inexpensive way to keep your car smelling fresh. Strategically place small stacks of dryer sheets around the car and near the vents.

 

Heat your car on the go

Don’t start the car to heat it up and then leave it sitting idle. Instead, you should start your car, wait thirty seconds, and begin driving slowly. The heat of the engine increases greatly when the car is in motion, and in turn will warm up the car faster than idling.

 

Sit idle less often

Turn your car off if you will be sitting at a standstill for more than a few minutes. Allowing your car to ‘sit idly by’ is not only a surefire way to burn gas for no reason, but it also takes its toll on your engine over time. In some states, it is actually illegal because it contributes to pollution and global warming.

 

Watch your tire pressure

Make sure you have enough air in your tires (roughly 5 pounds under the maximum PSI labeled on the tire’s outer wall). Fuel mileage goes down when tires are deflated. It takes more work to move a flatter tire, so the car consumes more energy. This means more gas is consumed. A lot of gas stations have free air pumps. So take advantage of the free air, and keep your tires inflated.

 

Use baking soda on spills

Baking soda can serve as a dual purpose cleaning agent. Keeping an opened box of baking soda in your car will help you keep the fabric in your car clean and odor free. Contain and eliminate spills by pouring baking soda on it soon as possible so you won’t have to pay a cleaning service to remove stubborn stains.

 

Don’t call a tow truck when you get stuck, pull out your floor mats instead

If you find yourself stuck in mud or ice, you can use floor mats for extra traction. The car won’t move because the tire isn’t touching a surface that enables it to gain enough traction. A simple and free way to get out of a sticky situation is to take the mats on the car’s floor and stick them in front of the tires. Oftentimes, this will give you enough traction to move the car and get back on the road.

 

Take it easy on the lead foot

Try to be gentle to the pedals. Sudden speeding up and braking uses more fuel and decreases the longevity of your brake pads, rotors, and tires (each of which can lead to a very expensive repair).

 

Make sure your oil doesn’t dry up

Get a regular checkup and get your oil changed as directed by your mechanic (You can find this information in the owner’s manual). It may seem unimportant, but if the oil well dries out the chances of an engine fire increase greatly.

 

Keep the windows up

Driving with open windows will create drag, decrease your car’s performance, and decrease your gas mileage. Keep them closed as often as possible.

 

Fill your tank more often

Keep your gas tank above 1/4 full. Studies have found that the fuel at the bottom of your gas tank contains debris that can clog your fuel line if driving with a less than optimal amount of gas in the tank becomes a regular occurrence. When that happens, fuel can spill back into the tank or onto the engine, which can cause a fire.

 

Fill those cracks

Fill a small windshield chip or crack with clear nail polish, preferably a strong topcoat, and smooth it out. It can cost around $100 to get a chip or crack filled in professionally, and hundreds to replace the whole windshield. This can buy you time to save up for the inevitable replacement that can cost you upwards of $1,000 depending on the model of your car.

 

Go back to school!

Take defensive driving classes. It’s like a refresher for people who took their driving tests ages ago. These classes can take points off your driving record, They are especially helpful if you were in an accident and need to make sure you don’t get smacked with four points. Taking defensive driving classes can also lower your insurance premiums.

 

 

When you buy a car, you know it’s an investment. It’s also one of the most important things used to get through life in the States. It is also frustratingly expensive. Everyone looks for ways to save a little money, and one way is to have good insurance. Good2Go Auto Insurance offers minimum limits car insurance that is fast, easy and cheap, and will get you driving for less up front — with low down payments and convenient payment plans. For a free, no-obligation quote, visit www.good2go.com.