** Get one of the small air pumps to inflate tires
that connect to your car's cigarette lighter and keep in the trunk.
They are less than $30 in auto supply stores, Walmart etc--you will need
it eventually and it is quicker than changing a tire and cheaper than
being towed and quicker than an auto club sending someone to change
the tire.The TM can tell you this from experience.
*One of the best ideas the old Thrifty Meister has ever had is to color code wrenches used over and over for the same job so they stand out from the group. For example, if you have a wrench set with numerous different wrenches and you don't want to spend five minutes trying to find the one that fits a given bolt keep a 3" x5" card in your tool box with the size wrench noted that does a particular job (such as the oil pan bolt used for changing oil in a vehicle). Then get some colored electrical tape (your hardware store) and wrap a piece around the handle of the wrench and note which color is used on the 3" x 5" card then when you want to change oil just refer to the card and get the color and you can immediately grab the wrench you need for the job.
* If you do maintenance on your own car put a small note card in your glove compartment with your car's model numbers for the oil filter, air filter, PCV valve and then when you need to pick these items up you will always have the correct model numbers with you. Prevents having to look them up when you get in the store. Nice time saver.
* If you are like the TM you often need a bit of water for the car for some reason, battery, wash spot off, etc--take an old milk carton and fill it with water and keep it in the garage so you will have a bit of water handy when you need it. Also keep paper tiles and hand cleaner in the garage.
* Make sure you have a cell phone and an adaptor to
connect it to the car's acierate lighter so you don't get stranded
with no way to call for help when the phone's battery dies.
* Carry a cell phone even if you don't have a
service--they have to answer the 911 number when it is dialed.
* If you travel much join an auto club--not only
do they change flats, tow, supply gas, but some give you rebate coupons
for car maintenance. Some will even lower their membership fee if you
tell them you can get a membership somewhere else cheaper.
Just complete a survey for chance
to win a Hummer!
* Kitty litter can be used for traction if stuck
in the snow--if traveling when snow--take a bag along.
* Empty out your trunk to reduce the weight of
your car and thereby increase your gas mileage.
* Fill your gas tank up in the morning. It will
hold more gas before it gets hot in the heat of the day when it expands.
Caution: if you are just going to let the car sit in the hot sun with
a full tank of gas don’t top off the tank since gas will run out
the tank and spill on the street thus wasting your money.
* A broom is the quickest way to clean snow from
a car. If you can't find one with a small handle cut the handle down
on one till it fits in the trunk.
* A hubcap can be used as a shovel if your auto
gets stuck in the snow.
* Paint a bright color strip of paint or use reflective
tape on center of back wall to aim the car down the center of garage.
* If you scratch the paint on your car put clear
nail polish on the scratch to prevent rust.
* If battery terminals are heavily corroded, use
carbonated soft drink to clean them off.
* If your car windows steam up on the inside,
carry a blackboard eraser in your car to wipe away the moisture.
Go to Thrift
Meister's Web Poll and vote on what concerns you most when
buying a used car the condition of the car or the honesty of the salesman.
Tire Tips
* Rotate the tires on your car as recommended.
Tires that wear evenly last longer.
* Keep tries properly inflated. It will make tires
last longer and provide better gas mileage.
* Check vehicle owner's manual and
use correct tire size and type.
* Avoid sudden stops and starts.
* Keep wheels balanced and aligned.
* When tires get to be three years
old inspect for signs of dry rot or weather damage.
* Check frequently for damage. Bumps
or bulges may indicate a separation within the tire body and need to
be inspected by a professional immediately.
* Place a penny in the tire tread
with the top of Lincoln's head facing towards the tire. If you can see
the top of Lincoln's head, the treads are worn and need replacing.
* Check the tire's load carrying
capacity. If you're carrying extra weight, under inflation can create
an overload on your tires.
* Identity theft has come to the used car market where thieves replace the real VIN tag with the number of a different car of the same make and model. Carfax says 225,000 of the 1.5 million used cars sold in 2004 had bad VIN tags. To protect yourself do a title search to identify the same VIN registered to different people. Be leery of any used car deal which seems to good to be true!
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