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Money
Saving Car Care and Maintenance Tips
By Jovir
Amatong
There
are loads of stuff that you can employ to assure that your vehicle
is always in tip top shape, while easing on the budget and saving
precious time. Instead of always going to the car shop whenever
conks are heard under the hood, why not fix minor car problems
on your own?
You're
not only giving yourself a favor by not going through the hassle
of the long wait to have your car fixed at the local car shop,
but you're also protecting yourself from unscrupulous mechanics
who might take advantage of your predicament.
Here
are a few tips to get you worry free on the road.
1.
Read your car repair manual and other Do it yourself (DIY) books
It
wouldn't hurt for you to take some time off to read and study
the ins and outs of your car. You'll be familiar with the specifications
and the proper maintenance of your vehicle. DIY books also abound,
providing you the basic and advanced techniques which could save
you hundreds perhaps thousands of dollars on repairs.
By
reading, you'll have the ample knowledge to get the job done yourself
whenever unpleasant situations arise. Like a bible is to a clergyman,
always see to it to have book or two beside you for quick reference
in emergencies.
2.
Keep the right tools in your toolbox
It
is very important that you use the right tool for the right job,
because if you use the wrong one, you might end up with broken
nuts and bolts or worse, have them worn out.
Here's
a rundown of the basic tool must-haves for your toolbox.
A.
Jack and Jack Stands - Conventional for changing tires and fixes
under the chassis. Remember to never rely on the jack whenever
lifting your car. Always have jack stands on hand for support
and safety.
B.
Philips and Flat tip screwdrivers- Always have a pair handy for
turning loose screws and replacing worn out ones. You can also
use these to poke and reach things fallen among tiny and hard
to reach corners.
C.
Standard and Long nose Pliers- It never pays to have a pair of
these handy for gripping and the easy removal of bolts and nuts.
These can also be used to hold or clip wires when you're working
on wiring connections.
D.
Wrench or Spanner set - Always keep a set to turn bolts, nuts
and other hard to turn items. Select the appropriate wrench size
and number to that of the bolt and nut you will turn.
E.
Wire strippers and cutters- Must-haves for fixing and replacing
old worn out wires or stripping them.
F.
Standard Tire Wrench/ Iron- A must-have for tire replacement.
G.
Towing Cable- Very helpful when you need to be securely towed
away in an emergency.
H.
A roll of Electrical tape (Preferably fire retardant) - Handy
in times of replacing and insulating stripped or worn out wires.
Select the fire retardant type as it provides maximum protection
and adheres better than the regular type.
I.
Spare bulbs- It surely pays to have a spare bulb on hand for sudden
shutdowns in important beacons such as signal, safety, break and
head lights while driving down dark roads at night.
J.
Work light / Flashlight - Very useful to lighten dark nooks and
crannies that you're working on. A work light can either just
be a regular flashlight or the kind with nodes that you can tap
to the positive and negative terminals of your car's battery.
K.
Tire Inflator - Though this tool may not fit your toolbox, but
having one beside it in your baggage is very helpful for mending
flat tires while travelling in areas where car shops and gas stations
are scarce.
3.
Driving routine check ups
Before
hitting the ignition keys, a short round up check is helpful to
ensure hassle-free and safe driving. A routine check up may be
time consuming, but it can save your life and of those you're
travelling with.
A.
Check for Water, Break, Steering and Transmission fluid levels.
This is to avoid overheating, steering problems or worse, break
loss while travelling. Fill to recommended levels only.
B.
Check the Tire pressure. Remember that unequal pressure among
your tires will greatly dampen speed and stamina, thereby increasing
your car's fuel consumption.
C.
Check the lights. For those who frequently travel at night, a
check on all signals and lights is a must. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to know what dangers await you, driving down that dark
road with busted lights!
Relax
and safe driving.
Jovir
Amatong
jamatong@autoterminal.com
Article
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