Driving Tips that will Save you money and Time
Being a woman driver over the age of 50 has taught me many lessons and has provided me with proven habits for driving, saving money on repairs and generally getting ahead of car problems, before they happen.
First and most important of all is the routine that you must adopt for each time you are driving somewhere. I turn on the car by leaning into the car. I turn on the lights. Then, I take a paper towel from the backseat floor and wipe the windows. This covers two important habits. First, you are cleaning off your windows, seeing if they are damaged by rocks, or flying debris.
Secondly, you are scanning your tires for leaks and damage. You are also checking your headlights and tail lights for any that may be burned out saving youa possible traffic ticket. In addition, you are getting a listen to your car running and can notice any noises that sound strange and may cause car problems down the road. Doing this habit, I once noticed that my passenger door was ajar.
When your walk around is done, sit in your car. Now is the time to adjust all of your mirrors. Checking your level of gasoline is another good habit to acquire.
Now, you should fasten your seatbelt. It is a good idea to hook your purse straps into your seatbelt to avoid your purse being snatched at a red light or stop sign.
I now attach my Blue Tooth to my ear and place the cell phone in the ashtray slot. It sits pretty well here and allows me to look at the incoming number before I answer it.
If you don't have a GPS system, and are going to the next town for an appointment and are not sure where the office or business is located, I go on Map Quest or a similar Web site to obtain directions. I transfer these directions to a 3 X 5-index card that I attach to the center of my steering wheel. I can look at the directions easily and not lose site of traffic on the road, saving time. This prevents you from weaving in traffic trying to get into the correct lane to make a turn. I also write on the reverse side of the index card the return directions if they are different.
I am now ready to back out of my driveway. I do not turn on the radio, yet. I want to be able to hear any sounds that may occur when I back out and pull out into traffic.
This routine has saved me many expensive repairs to my car, lights being burned out, backing out into someone coming down the street and generally gotten me safely to my destination every time.
Washing your car after a hard winter is important to keep the salt away from the metal under your car. Road salt is course and sometimes mixed with other chemicals that can corrode the underside of your car.
Keeping the windshield washer fluid container full is a good idea. You never know when you will have to use the washer liquid to wash dirt, smoke, bird drippings or even oil from another car. Keeping your windshield clean is very important. I keep a gallon in my trunk so that I can refill the reservoir just by pulling over to the side of the road, or popping my hood in a parking lot and refill the reservoir.
Keep your tire pressure correct for the driving you are doing. Having the pressure correct and having the tires balanced can prolong the usage of your tires. Tires are so expensive these days. Remember to rotate your tires when you get your oil changed.
Please, please do not attempt to drive thru water that you believe is only a few inches deep. The water may look like it is shallow, but to be save, drive around these puddles. Do not assume that they are safe to drive thru.
To jump start a car:
(I use "dead" car to reference dead battery car.
I use "live" car to reference good battery in car.)
1. Connect positive (+ red) battery terminal to dead car.
2. Connect the other positive (+ red) terminal to live car.
3. Connect black (-negative) terminal to live car.
4. Connect other black (- negative) terminal to dead car.
5. Start the live car battery, then start the dead car battery. If this does not start the dead battery something else is wrong;
6. Disconnect in reverse order ( negative-dead, negative-live, positive-live, positive-dead.
Cutting speed from 70 mph to 60 mph will save you 15% on your gas bill.
In an emergency, tights or stockings can be used for fan belt. Will be enough to get you to a garage.
Purchase your anti-freeze in the summer time. Will be cheaper.
Copywriter: Karen B. Cardwell 2012. Email me at: cradwell.kc@Gmail.Com
Tweet me at: Karen Cardwell@blairie12.
Original Artwork Images by Tom Wilson.