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“Auto Savings Advice & Tips On How To Reduce All Your Vehicle Expenses”
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Routine Car Maintenance (continued)
c. Make sure your tires have an adequate amount of tread to ensure proper vehicle handling, particularly in poor weather. Most tires have built in wear gauges on the tread which look like a small piece of tread that is perpendicular to the main tire grooves. When tread wears down to the point that the wear gauges are even with the surface of the tread it is time to get new tires. Your tire store or mechanic can show you how these wear gauges work. Also, if your tires have worn unevenly to the point where there is no tread left on portions of the tire, or you can see the fabric or metal tire belts on the surface of the tire, the tire needs to be replaced.
3. If you do need to purchase tires, keep the following in mind.
a. Make sure you purchase the same size tire that originally came with the vehicle.
And for most cars and many smaller trucks, purchase a steel belted radial tire for
maximum life and performance. Unless your vehicle is designed for “high-
b. Tires are rated for both tread wear and handling characteristics in both fair weather and foul weather environments. Make sure you compare these ratings when purchasing tires, to find the best value given your needs. The folks at the tire store will be happy to discuss the tire wear and handling characteristics with you to help you make a decision. And while there is generally an extra charge, make sure any new tires you purchase are spin balanced. Ask if the charge for spin balancing provides for lifetime balance, or just the initial balancing.
c. Most tires are rated and guaranteed for a certain number of miles (such as 50,000 miles, etc.). If your old tires have worn down prior to being driven the stated number of miles, you may be entitled to a reduction in price for your new tires, assuming you are buying the same brand of tire. Check with the tire store. Also, if your tire is being replaced because of a defect, you should receive a mileage allowance for the purchase of your new tire or tires, resulting in a reduced price.
d. When purchasing tires, make sure you get at least a few quotes from tire stores, and that these quotes include all costs to you. And do not be afraid to ask for a better price. Most tire stores will negotiate, and most stores also have tires on sale. Make sure you look on the Internet for some great prices, and don’t forget to get prices at discount stores like Costco and Walmart. Finally, resist the urge to buy road hazard insurance. While anything is possible, the types of hazards this covers are unlikely to happen.
4. While checking fluid levels and tires are the most critical maintenance tasks that can be performed easily by the vehicle owner, other routine maintenance can also be performed to save money.
a. Wiper blades often stop working well and need to be replaced. You can buy blades to fit your vehicle at any auto parts store, and easily install them yourself or have them installed for free. If you know the make, model and year of your vehicle and know the length of each blade, a sales associate will help you find the right blade and will probably also install them free of charge.
b. Today, many vehicle batteries are sealed and the water level in the battery cannot be checked. However, if the battery does have removable covers, check the water level every six months or so, and add water to bring the level up to the fill mark, if necessary. If you do need a new battery, drive your vehicle to the auto parts store and they will determine what type of battery you need to buy and include installation for free. If you cannot drive the vehicle to the store, take the old battery out of the vehicle and take it to the auto parts store for a replacement. If you are buying the same brand of battery, make sure to ask if the old battery has any warranty life left on it. Batteries are usually guaranteed for a certain number of years, and if they fail prematurely you should get a reduction in the purchase price of your new battery. And do not fall for some mechanics request that you do an electrical system check at your cost, to see if the something else is wrong and not the battery. It is almost always the battery and not something else. Just get the battery replaced.
c. If your air filter needs to be changed in accordance with the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, consider changing it yourself. This is usually easy to do and you can purchase the right air filter at any auto parts store. They may even show you how to install it, or actually install it for you. In any case, your vehicle’s manual should show you how it is done.
d. Every once in a while a headlight , brake light or other bulb will stop working in your vehicle. In many instances, these bulbs can be accessed easily for removal and replacement. Take the bulb to the auto parts store for a replacement. Or better yet, take your vehicle with the burnt out bulb to the store, and the personnel at the auto parts store just might install the new bulb for you.
CAR REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE -
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