Franklin County

Moneysaving Tricks to Keep Your Car Running

            One of the best ways to save money on a new or used car is to make the car you own now last as long as possible. This is advice from a man that still drives a 1979 four-door Dodge Diplomat with over 300,000 miles on the odometer:

• Fix small problems right away. Set aside money for maintenance and repairs so the money is there when needed.

• Check belts and hoses each season for shiny, cracked or frayed rubber.

• Keep a record of how many miles per gallon your car gets. A 10% dip in mileage is an indicator of potential problems.

• Keep the radio off during the first five minutes of driving so you can listen for abnormal sounds.

• Keep the exterior and interior looking sharp. Most people get rid of cars because they look terrible, not because the engine has become unsound.

• Stick to a long-term maintenance schedule such as changing the oil and checking the tire pressure every 3,000 miles and checking the air and fuel filters, PCV valve and CV boots every 15,000 miles.

Return to the main Franklin County page
		Franklin County University of Missouri Extension Center FranklinCo@missouri.edu Last revised: 08/21/08