A sour economy combined with rising gas prices is making people wonder whether they can even afford to drive these days! But there are ways to save money while staying on the road during a recessionary period: here are some ways to do it.
Drive Sensibly
Treat your car as if it were the last one you’ll ever own. Sometimes we get a little cavalier about our vehicles and forget to drive them sensibly: we make jack-rabbit starts, we’re hard on the brakes, we rev our engines at stop lights, and we don’t keep our tires properly pressurized. If you see yourself in any of the above descriptions, make a conscious effort to change the way you drive: your car will last longer and you’ll spend less on service and parts.
Rethink Your Choice of Gas
If you haven’t cracked open your owner’s manual lately, maybe you should. You may just be using the wrong octane every time you fill your tank. Of course, many high performance vehicles require the more expensive oil grades, but more expensive doesn’t necessary translate into better for all makes and models. If you can use the lowest priced grade of gasoline, so much the better. You’ll save a ton of money over the long run: all those cents add up to big bucks.
Practice Regular Maintenance
If you’re treating your car as if it were your last, then you should definitely get in the habit of practicing regular maintenance. Learn how to check and change your oil and other vital fluids: doing this chore you will save money. If your check engine light is on, are having a difficult time changing gears, or if you suspect something might be wrong, go ahead and visit a mechanic to have it checked out. Don’t wait until the car gives out altogether: it will cost you way more money than if you’d had it checked out and repaired early. If the problem is not pressing, get second and third opinions from other mechanics to make sure you are being treated fairly.
Do-It-Yourself Repair
There’s no doubt that being able to work on your own car, replacing parts and doing basic maintenance yourself saves money. If you have this talent, you are very lucky. Make sure to choose an online parts supplier that sells the quality products you need at reduced prices: anytime you buy direct from the manufacturer, you’re going to pay more. So make sure to do your homework whether you need parts for Subaru, Chevy, or any other make, and compare prices: you will save money.
Dan Perkins Chevrolet (http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/)
is a Subaru tribeca parts. Art Gib is a freelance writer.