24. Check brake shoes (replace if
needed)
25. If you have a major repair to
do, it's wise to get at least 3
estimates, if possible, before you decide.
26. Read and follow your car
owner's manual - it's your car's bible
for making your car last longer.
27. Whether you are a man, woman,
boy or girl, learn to do some routine
maintenance on your car yourself. A multitude of books, videos,
magazines and classes are available at your local library
that will teach you for free if you don't know. Learn how
to check your own oil, transmission fluid, tire pressure and coolant,
etc.
28. If you find a good mechanic
who you can trust, stick with him even
if his prices are a bit higher - all things being equal. You'll
always save time, money and aggravation in the long run.
29. Don't race or gun your engine
when you start it up. Accelerate
slowly and smoothly when your engine is cold.
30. Avoid burning rubber - it
places excessive wear on the transmission,
rear end, not to mention your tires.
31. An international tire company
estimated that 33% of all tires on
the road are under-inflated (low air). Under-inflated tires wear
out quicker and have a tendency to blow out easier.
32. A garaged car lasts longer. A
car port is next best, and a car
cover is a distant third.
33. Avoid jackrabbit starts and
stops. Stop and accelerate gradually.
34. Avoid tailgating, tire
squealing turns, flying over speed bumps,
pot holes and revving your engine.
35. When possible, avoid driving
your car during rush hour stop and
go traffic periods.
36. Keep front-end aligned, for
longer tire life and better gas mileage.
37. Make sure you get promised
repairs in writing including how much
it will cost.
38. Avoid car dealers except to
have highly specialized repairs done
that can't be done properly anywhere else.
39. It's hard to be overcharged
when you get three estimates before
you have the work done.
40. Beware: Cheapest is not always
the best. Normally, the best mechanics
with the best equipment and training cost more.
41. Often mechanics that charge
extremely low prices have inferior
or out-dated equipment, little to no
formal training or are under-insured.
42. Complex electrical problems
are so involved that serious electrical
work should be done in an "Auto Electric" shop. They have
the equipment, tool and training to do the job more efficiently than the
average mechanic.
43. If your car has "Cruise
Control" use it. Using cruise control
will save you 5% to 10% of a gallon
of gas on long trips.
44. Avoid constantly pressing and
releasing the accelerator when driving.
This practice not only wastes fuel, but it puts excessive
wear on the drive train of your car.
45. Don't ride your brake pedal,
this wears out your brake linings
pre-maturely, and wastes fuel.
46. Driving with your windows all
the way down at higher speeds, will
waste 10% more gallons of gasoline than driving with them closed.
47. Research by a major car
manufacturer has revealed that neglect
of proper routine maintenance is the
number one reason for the enormous
increase in car repairs being required.
48. Tires purchased at department
stores such as Sears, Montgomery
Wards, K-Mart etc., can be an
excellent value because many are made
by leading tire manufacturers. For a list of what manufacturer
makes which tires for what department store, write to:
Tire Information Center, P.O. Box 677, Syosset, NY 11791
49. When purchasing or changing
tires, make sure you have them spin
balanced.
50. Avoid cleaning your windshield
with a dry rag or towel. Always
dampen with water or some other
cleaning liquid. Dry towels grind
and scratch your windshield hindering your visibility.
51. Avoid turning on the car
air-conditioning while running at highway
speeds as this tends to put an immediate heavy load on your
compressor and clutch. This could cause excessive wear and tear
on these components. Instead turn your air conditioner on at
car speeds below 25 to 30 m.p.h. This helps to preserve your expensive
compressor.
52. Try to avoid running your car
with the tank low on gas. Keeping
a low tank of gas increases the
chance of dirt, water/moisture and
rust forming in your fuel system. Keeping a full tank decreases
the chance of dirt and other foreign matter forming in your
fuel system.
53. Tires driven at 70 m.p.h. wear
out almost twice as fast as cars
that go 50 m.p.h.
54. A government study has
confirmed, the top three causes of car breakdowns
while on the road are: (a) running out of gas (b) tire
troubles (c) cooling system problems (overheating)
55. The best as well as the
easiest ways to find a good car repair
shop is by recommendation or
referrals from satisfied customers.
56. To work on a late model
computer-controlled engines, make sure
the shop you choose has the equipment
to handle computer-electric service/repair.
Sophisticated diagnostic equipment is a must.
57. To choose the right repair
shop for you, it's wise to have a small
or minor maintenance or repair job done first to see how the
repair shop and mechanic treat you and your car.
58. Give detailed description of
your car's problem when you take it
in for repairs. The more you can describe what your car is doing
or not doing (thumping, squealing, clacking sound, etc.) the
faster and less it will cost for your mechanic to fix it.
59. When in doubt about the cost
of a repair or a mechanic's honesty
get a second opinion. This is one of the best ways to protect
yourself from being ripped-off until you can find a permanent
repair shop.
60. Regular oil changes are the
most important thing you can do to
protect your engine and make it last longer.
61. If you have a manual
transmission, downshift to slow your car down
instead of using your brakes. This will save wear and tear on
your braking system.
62. Each time you have your engine
oil checked, have your transmission
fluid checked also.
63. Protect your car's interior
and make it last longer - park your
car in the shade or place a windshield guard or cover in the
windshield.
64. If you spill something inside
your car, clean it up immediately
before it dries. Delaying even 30 minutes can sometimes
leave a permanent stain or spot. NOTE: To better protect
your car seats have them treated with scotchguard.
NOTE:
According to current auto insurance statistics, the average
U.S. car's useful life is 10 years or 100,000 miles. By following
proper preventative maintenance you can often double your
car's useful life, and spend less time visiting your local mechanic.
