AutomotiveWith gas prices rising today paying for your weekly fill up may be the expense most often making a dent in your pocketbook. There are many ways to save on the cost of gasoline. Shop around for the best price before you go out and don't stick with one brand of gas Check on the Internet before leaving home to see which local gas station has the best price for gasoline. One great website that can be used nationally is GasBuddy.com. Just put in your zip code and all the local gas stations around your area are listed with their current price! With that said, don't be brand-conscious when shopping around. Go for the best deal. Look for membership clubs you can join Most often grocery stores, some gas stations or other retailers will offer their own membership clubs so when you buy gas you get an extra discount. Usually the membership will save you an average of 10 cents per gallon off the regular advertised price. Get a credit card that offers savings on gas Many credit card companies will now offer gas savings when you use their card for purchases. Turn off the air conditioning when possible Turning off the air conditioning will save on fuel. Try this option on a pretty day when it's not too hot. Most people will be too hot turning off the air conditioning in the middle of summer. Consider purchasing a fuel-efficient car or hybrid vehicle But only if you are in the market for a new car. It's best to calculate how much you will actually save per year versus the cost of the automobile to see what makes the most sense financially. Try not to idle for long periods of time Turn off your car if you are sitting still in traffic. When you have to idle you are getting zero miles per gallon! Make sure your tires are filled to the proper level This will slightly improve gas mileage by reducing the contact area of your tire to the road. Drive at a moderate speed By just driving 10 more miles over the speed limit you can reduce your car's fuel economy by 5 mpg. For example, if you drive 65 mph instead of 55 mph your fuel economy gas drop from 35 mpg to 30 mpg. Be sure to fill up before a holiday Typically gas prices will rise for the holidays. Saving Money of Automobile Maintenance and Repairs Shop around for the best price This is especially useful for maintenance checkups (example - 30k mile maintenance service, etc), oil changes, tire rotations, etc. You may be surprised to see how much different maintenance shops will charge. Sometimes you may be able to save hundreds of dollars on your maintenance needs. It is also helpful to check prices at similar dealerships. One Toyota maintenance shop may charge more than other similar Toyota shops. Don't cut back on regular car maintenance Although it may be tempting to cut back on routine maintenance for your automobile doing so will most likely cost you more in the long run. When possible do the maintenance yourself This may sound daunting at first, but you can learn a lot about simple automobile maintenance by going to your local auto parts store and asking for help. Some simple maintenance that's relatively easy to do yourself include changing your windshield wipers, oil, air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, battery and even replacing your disc brake pads and drum brakes. Remember to ask for help if you need it - especially when it comes to tasks like replacing your brakes. Did you know Auto Zone will loan you the tools you need as part of their Loan-A-Tool Service? It's a great program! Just leave a deposit when you pick up the tool. Your deposit will be refunded when you return the tool. To read more click here. Failed an emissions test? By law emissions controls must have an 80,000 mile/eight year warranty. Many replacement parts may be free. Other Useful Links PartsGeek.com - This great website was suggested by another SuperSavingTips.com reader researching info on car maintenance - Thanks Caitlyn! Readers: Always feel free to forward links and tips you have found helpful. We love sharing your ideas here as well! DoItYourself.com - Car, truck and boat repair 10w40.com - Online auto repair community |
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