What Should You Do With Your Gas Hog

The economy continues to struggle and gas prices remain high. The cost to fill up the gas tank in an average car is over $60. If that is breaking your budget, there are two things you can do about it. You can try to improve the gas mileage in your car or you can replace it with a more fuel efficient one.

To improve the gas mileage in your car, make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires will waste as much as 2 miles per gallon. Also, put in new spark plugs in every 30,000 miles and replace your air filter regularly. A tune up will also help. The smoother your car runs, the better its gas mileage will be. You should remove anything from your car you do not really need. The more weight there is in your car, the more gas it will use.  Also, remove your roof rack when you are not using it and if you have a pickup truck put a bed cover on. These changes will reduce drag and give you 2 or 3 more mpg.

Of course, the ultimate gas saver is to slow down. The faster you drive the more gas your car will use. If you drive the speed limit, accelerate gradually and avoid sudden stops you can save 3 mpg or more.

If you do buy a fuel efficient car, you have to figure out what to do with your gas guzzler. The car dealership will probably not want it as a trade in because there is no demand for them. For the same reason, it will be difficult to sell it privately. You can sell it for parts at a junk yard for a couple hundred dollars, or you can donate your car to charity. When you donate car, you get a tax deduction of the amount the charity sells your cr for or $500, whichever is more. You only need to itemize on your federal tax return to claim your tax deduction. 

Cars4Charities will gladly take your gas guzzler for donation. You car will be picked up for free too! You just need to provide them with a valid title for your car. And, Cars4Charities has hundreds of charities that can be helped by your car donation. For details, please go to http://www.cars4charities.org/ or call 866.448.3487.

How do I Winterize My Car?

Now that Fall is here, it will not be long before the temperatures get cold and the snow starts. That makes this a good time to get your car ready for winter. Here are some tips for winterizing your car;

1.   Check the tires and the spare. If your tires are worn, you should replace them. Worn tires do not provide much traction and do not handle well on wet or icy roads. The same is true for high performance tires. If you have those tires, you should consider putting snow tires on your car. You should also check the air pressure in your tires. Cold air makes the air in tires contract and that contraction may make the tires too low.

2.  Check the battery. Very cold temperatures can drastically reduce the power of your battery. You should have the battery tested at a certified repair shop. Also, check the posts and connections on your battery to make sure they are free of debris.

3.  Change the oil in the car. Before you change it, check the owner’s manual to see if the manufacturer recommends a thinner oil be used in your car during the winter months.

4.  Check the belts and hoses. If any of them show signs of wear, they should be replaced. Winter is not the time you want to be stranded because a belt or hoses broke.

5.  Check the mixture of antifreeze. Ideally, there should be equal parts of antifreeze and water. Most auto parts stores sell inexpensive testers.

6.  Check the brakes, lights, heater and defroster and make any necessary repairs.

7.  Replace the wiper blades and fill the wiper fluid reservoir.

8.  Check the 4WD on your car, if applicable. It should engage properly.

In addition to the above, there are several items you should put in your car in preparation for the cold and snow.  Here is a list;

1.  An emergency road kit including a blanket, flashlight, flares, etc.

2.  A first aid kit.

3.  A tool kit and jumper cables.

4.  A snow brush, ice scraper, shovel, etc.

5.  A bag of sand or non-clumping car litter.

6.  Some extra clothes such as warm socks, a hat, gloves, boots, etc.

7.  A small supply of water and food such as hard candy, nuts, energy bars, etc.

When the weather does turn cold remember to keep your gas tank full. This will prevent moisture from freezing the gas lines in your car. It is also a good idea to keep your cell phone charged in case you get stuck and to keep an aerosol de-icer with you in case the door locks on your car freeze.