You know the old adage, “A stitch in time saves nine.” It applies to your car too. If you regularly implement these five simple habits for car maintenance, you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble—and money—in the future.
It’s Not Just the Oil
Oil is important; it’s the lifeblood of your automobile. However, there are other very important fluids in your vehicle that also require your attention.
Keeping your coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and washer fluid topped up can keep you from needing to have more expensive parts replaced later on.
Get Your Tire Inflation Right
Under- or over-inflated tires will wear more quickly. It’s important to have the correct air pressure in your tires to get the most out of them over time.
It is also important to have the proper air pressure to prevent your vehicle from using too much fuel. Driving with tires that are 15% under-inflated can cause your vehicle to use 1.2% more fuel. Getting your tires properly inflated can save you money.
Follow Your Nose—and Ears
Most drivers try to avoid taking their vehicles into the mechanic. However, if you smell or hear something out of the ordinary, take your vehicle in to an expert to get it checked out.
It could turn out to be nothing serious, but it could also be the beginning of a problem that could affect other parts of your vehicle. What starts out as something simple, like a worn-out spark plug, could turn into something more serious—which will cost you a lot more money in the end.
Replace Your Air Filter
Your air filter helps your vehicle breathe properly by allowing oxygen in to help fuel combustion. A dirty air filter suffocates your vehicle and starves it of the oxygen it needs to perform at a high standard.
Once you replace a dirty air filter, you should see better fuel economy. Again, this is one of those little things that goes a long way under your hood.
Leave the Cargo Rack Behind
Avoid carrying items on the roof. This creates unnecessary drag and affects fuel economy. Plus, your vehicle uses more fuel when you carry excess weight. If you don’t need specific items every day, make sure you leave them at home or at the office. This should improve your vehicle’s fuel consumption.
According to the US Department of Energy, “A large, blunt roof-top cargo box, for example, can reduce fuel economy by around 2% to 8% in city driving, 6% to 17% on the highway, and 10% to 25% at Interstate speeds (65 mph to 75 mph).”
Simple Habits Add Up
A few simple fixes in your driving habits and car maintenance can help save you money in the long term. These simple tips can keep your vehicle running—and keep cash in your pocket.