10 Money Saving Tips for Your Car

Happy Monday! Not a phrase you hear uttered very often; unless of course it is in a mumbling sarcastic voice with a raised cup of coffee. Let's turn around your #MondayBlues with some Money Saving Tips! Got your attention? Good!

1. Opt for the K&N filter, if your warrnaty will allow it, while these have a higher upfront cost; they can be easily cleaned and do not need to be replaced. Neat, huh?

2. Say YES! When your certified service dealer asks for your email; give it to them! There is no better way to stay up-to-date on specials and to receive coupons than to get them directly from the source!

3. Find the most fuel for your car. For example, choosing to put premium in my truck gets me an additional 5 miles per gallon which more than makes up for the more expensive grade. Fuel up from empty with a specific fuel and compare the mileage you are getting per gallon.

4. If you are responsible enough to manage a credit card; consider a gas reward card. These will save you money at the pump and (when used correctly) can be good for your credit score. Are you iffy about a credit card? Check out grocery stores like Kroger or HEB who award you points for your grocery purchases to use towards your gas. If you live in a rural area without one of these gems; you probably visit a Wal-Mart at least. When buying your items in the store pick up a gift card. These save you about .03 per gallon at the pump; which doesn't seem like much but it definitley adds up!

5. Buy your own brake pads and other commonly replaced parts from an auto shop like Auto Zone. More often than not the service center will allow you to purchase your own parts, and this will save you money! Also, some of these items; brake pads, shocks, roters, etc. have a lifetime warranty, and they can be replaced every year for free! Think of how quickly your savings will rack up when you don't have to purchase new parts every year.

6. Wash and vacuum your own car. Unless you consider this to be "pampering yourself" the money you save will out weigh the time it takes. Tip: do this regularly and it takes far less time; especially if you have snack monsters (toddlers) who frequently use you as a taxi ;) .

7. I can not stress this enough... ALWAYS take your car to a certified service center. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dishonest repair shops out there. They promise to save you money or time, and most often they do; by cutting corners. In the end they cost you more money and more time! Choosing a certified repair and service team alleviates the anxiety of having work done on your car, and gives you the absolute best value!

8. Maintain the proper tire pressure to get the most efficient fuel economy!

9. Allow your vehicle to warm up for a few minutes before driving it in the cold. This is where remote start becomes especially handy.

10. Do your homework! Buy the most reliable cars with high safety and efficiency ratings. Check out the service records on any pre-owned vehicle you are looking to buy. This will give you the best idea of what to expect as far as maintaining the car and necessary repairs.