Gas prices remain at historically high levels and the long term trend is indicating that they will stay high. If you own one or more cars, you understand that saving cash somewhere, somehow is important to helping you preserve your budget. The following are some important tips to help you manage your car expenses.
Look over your insurance. If your car is between two and three thousand dollars, consider canceling your collision coverage. The money you save could then be set aside by you toward a down payment on your next vehicle.
Keep your tires suitably inflated. Your gas mileage will fall if your tires are under inflated. Keep your tires at the suggested pressure amounts and your gas mileage should stay stable.
Do not change your oil too often. Unless you drive entirely in the city you do not need to change your oil every 3000 miles. Most cars can last up to 7500 miles between changes. You will, however, still need to change your oil twice yearly even if you drive infrequently.
Do some minor maintenance yourself. You can change your wipers, the air filter, battery, and replace a tire yourself. If you rely on others, your costs will climb considerably.
Use regular gas. If your car requires regular gas, do not indulge in premium. Your car probably will not run any better and you will have paid as much as 25 cents extra per gallon extra.
Don't purchase an comprehensive warranty. The amount of money you pay for an extended warranty is usually more than what the warranty is worth. If you feel that a particular car model requires an extended warranty, perhaps you should consider shopping for a vehicle that is much more dependable.
You can save plenty of money by washing and waxing your car yourself. Treat yourself to the services of a car wash no more than 2-3 times per year.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. The manufacturer of your vehicle will know how long parts should last. Change your timing belt before it becomes a problem, your fuel filter as required, and keep an eye on your brakes, tires, and shocks. Most cars built today do not need a complete tune up for as long as one hundred thousand miles, so do not put down the $250 for a tune up before one becomes a necessity.
Use a private garage. No, you do not have to take your Chevy to the Chevrolet dealership for service. If you have a decent, local garage that knows your make and model you can typically save money by using them instead.
We aren't likely to see gas prices below $2 per gallon again, while $3 per gallon may soon be the rule. Supply and demand cannot be controlled, but you can take the above steps to make certain that your car does not cost you more than it should.
If you are in the market for purchasing a new car somewhere in the mix of that decision is how you will actually pay for the vehicle. If you are fortunate enough to have the cash, then more power to you. Even so, you may be looking to save some money on your purchase. With so many offers out there, why pass up on a chance to save money? If you aren't particularly brand loyal then there are some great options for you. Consider the following when trying to save money on a new car purchase:
Season Ending Deals ? As the old model year ends, new models are poised to show up in dealer showrooms. Trouble is, many dealer lots are filled with older ?new? cars and dealers are anxious to push them out. Some of the best new car deals come during the late summer, early fall period. Rebates or cash credits in the thousands of dollars suddenly become available; however, don't settle for just those rebates as manufacturers slip incentives to dealers to push out older cars. You want a piece of what they are getting!
Model Ending Deals ? If your favorite brand is discontinuing a model or replacing that model with an updated version, then big deals on the discontinued model should be available. You are in the driver's seat as most consumers will be opting for the latest and greatest. If you don't mind an older version then go for the model with the biggest price tag reduction.
Zero Percent Financing ? If the choice for you is zero percent financing versus a cash rebate, what would you choose? If you are paying cash it could be in your best interest to simply finance the purchase and bank the money. In effect the financing company will be giving you thousands of dollars in interest money for your decision. If you don't have much money to put down, perhaps seeking third party financing at a low rate and taking the rebate is the best option for you.
Slow Sellers ? GM and Ford are desperately trying to get back on track following record losses and sales declines. Guess who is willing to do just about anything for your business? These two companies are. You may not have considered a Ford or a Chevy, but maybe a Saturn or Cadillac would do? If you choose the latter two, then you should know something about these brands: they are amongst the highest rated brands in all of autodom.
Yes, you can save money on a new car. Shop around and compare, but above all else do not settle for anything less than the best price available.
Both Matthew C. Keegan & Adam J. Heist are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Matthew C. Keegan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Blogging, Nissan and Limousine Service. Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is a full time writer covering aviation, automotive, and business issues. You can keep your truck, van, SUV, or car looking great by shopping the