PHOENIX -- The lack of available credit and desire to spend in today’s economy has caused individuals to hold on to their cars longer. JD Power & Associates recently reported that consumers are keeping their vehicles four months longer in 2008 compared with 2007, up from 67 months to 71 months.
When consumers are strapped for cash, they tend to neglect their cars, failing to keep up with even the most basic recommended maintenance. But car owners should think twice before neglecting what was a significant purchase. Bill Spiekerman, instructor at the Avondale, Ariz. campus of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., a leading provider of technical training, offers the following tips to keep your car in shape for every budget during tough economic times.
$0 Budget:
• Read your owner’s manual. Educate yourself about your car and follow the maintenance recommendations.
• Park your vehicle in the same spot every day. Look for signs of fluid leaks under the car. Check the fluid levels under the hood regularly, but especially if you see signs of leaks. Identifying minor problems early can eliminate bigger problems down the road.
• Be a kinder, gentler driver. A significant amount of wear and tear is generated by abrupt starts and stops, especially if your car is used primarily for city driving. Take it easy on your brakes and transmission and your car will return the favor.
• Inflate your tires. By simply keeping tires inflated according to manufacturer’s guidelines, your car will operate more efficiently and improve gas mileage.
Less than $100:
• Change your oil. To get better gas mileage and extend the life of your engine, change your oil and filter every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. By doing this, today’s engines should have no problem reaching 200,000 miles.
• Replace your air filters. Air filters stop contaminants from getting into your engine which could cause damage. A clean filter promotes proper, unrestricted air flow and improves gas mileage.
• Keep your vehicle clean. Practice a little psychology. In keeping your vehicle clean, you will be less likely to think of it as old or neglect basic maintenance items. Consider adding an accessory that you have been wanting on a new car, such as a GPS or satellite radio.
Between $100 - $500:
• Keep your engine tuned. A fouled sparkplug or restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent.
• Make belt replacements on schedule. Follow maintenance recommendations for belt replacement. This is often expensive, but more so if you opt to neglect maintenance, which can cause catastrophic damage to the engine.
• Take care of needed repairs promptly. If something wears out or stops working, get it fixed. Neglecting a brake wear warning indicator is not only jeopardizing your safety, but can also lead to a domino effect of additional failures. Also, beware of making only partial or temporary repairs. Doing so only addresses the immediate need, but can lead to more serious damage over time. Fix it right the first time!
About Universal Technical Institute Inc.
Universal Technical Institute Inc. is a leading provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, collision repair, diesel, marine and motorcycle technicians. The company offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 10 campuses across the United States, and manufacturer-sponsored advanced programs at 19 dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, Universal Technical Institute Inc. offers specialized technical education programs under several well-known brands -- Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). For more information, visit www.uti.edu.
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