[nukkad] MAKE YOUR CAR MORE EFFICIENT

[Albert Joseph <>]

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MAKE YOUR CAR MORE EFFICIENT
>From an old junk heap to a fancy import - almost everyone drives a car.
Between the time you spend behind the wheel to the cost of gas and
insurance, it is in your best interest to find ways to save. Here's how:
*	Buy tires at the end of September - the prices are lowest.
*	Clean your wiper blades with vinegar and water before you're tempted
to buy new ones.
*	Keeping your trunk empty saves gas.
*	Don't warm up your car. Most engines don't require this.
*	Air conditioners use up to 10 percent of your car's horsepower, so
don't use it constantly.
*	Slow down. Speeding up to 10 mph - from 55 to 65 - can increase your
gas consumption by about 20 percent. Increasing to 75 mph increases it
another 25 percent.
*	Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure.
*	Close your windows and avoid using rooftop carriers - they destroy
the car's aerodynamics.
*	Revving up your engine not only wastes gas, it can damage your
motor.
*	Clean out your car on a set day of the week - every week. A plastic
shower curtain or tablecloth in the trunk comes in handy if you haul dirty
things or need to kneel down to change a tire.
*	Keep an emergency kit in your car, including first aid supplies,
Call Police signs, a blanket, jumper cables, pepper spray, and water bottle,
to name a few. Also keep envelopes, snacks, rubber bands, paper, stamps,
tape, and scissors in your car.

	Car-buying tips:
*	Keep only one car. You can take a lot of taxis for the price of
owning, gassing, and insuring a second car.
*	Don't lease your car. This is more expensive than financing a car
yourself, and causes you to trade cars too often.
*	Do your homework. Research all you can before you hit the lots.
Beware of add-ons once you've agreed on price. You can end up paying
hundreds or thousands more.
*	Shop late in the model year. August is the time to start looking for
good deals. Shop late in the month when salespeople are worrying about
meeting their quotas.
*	Check the volume of unsold cars of the model you're seeking in
Automotive, a weekly trade paper. If the supply exceeds 60 days, you have
more negotiation leverage.
*	Pay cash for cars. If you can't afford it now, start saving for your
next car.
*	Decide to buy a used car. Why buy new when used will do.
*	Never finance a car over more than three years. Compare dealership
financing with the finance terms of other loan services. Be sure you
understand any loan agreements and know what Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
you are being charged.
*	A franchised dealer - one who sells both new and used cars - is a
good place to buy a used car. The dealer saves the late-model trade-ins for
resale, while the less-desirable vehicles are sent to wholesalers.
*	Deal only with reputable used-car dealers. Check with your local
Better Business Bureau for any complaints.
*	As is means there is no warranty on the car. Any problems become
your responsibility as soon as you buy it. The lemon law - being able to
return a car if it constantly breaks down - applies only to new cars.
*	Don't trade in your old car: sell it privately.
*	When buying from a private owner, insist on obtaining the vehicle's
service records, references, and records of original purchase. Have the car
inspected by your mechanic.
*	Inspect and test drive. Insist on driving in different conditions:
hills, highways, stop-go traffic. Ask if the car has ever been in an
accident.
*	Drive a hard bargain. Take someone with you - preferably someone
knowledgeable about cars.

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		Courtesy: Moms Saving Money. Copyright © 2000 by
		Ann Fox Chodakowski and Susan Fox Wood. Published by
Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon 97402. 



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