Owning a Vehicle

12 Ways to Save Money on the Car or Truck You Own

Due to the recession, in 2009 U.S. automobile sales hit lows not seen in over a generation. Roughly 10.5 million vehicles were sold in the U.S. in 2009, off 40% from the single year high set in 2005, and 5.5 million less than 2007. Domestic auto sales sputtered back to like in 2010, with approximately 11.5 million vehicles sold, but one thing is certain, because of the slow economic recovery people are postponing major purchases and holding onto their vehicles for longer periods of time.

This section of the site deals with getting the most out of your investment. You will receive tips on how to perform basic vehicle maintenance, how to prepare your vehicle for the season, how renting a car can save you money, why you should refinance your auto loan, how to save on auto insurance, and many more valuable pieces of advice. Read on for a wealth of money-saving tips.

1. DIY Maintenance Tips
-- How do I perform simple vehicle maintenance?
-- How do I check the oil level on my car?
-- How do I measure tire tread depth?
-- How do I check automatic transmission fluid level?
-- How do I change windshield washer fluid on my car?
-- Will muffler tape fix my exhaust system?
-- Where is the break fluid reservoir located on my car or truck?
-- How do I add break fluid to my car or truck?
-- When do I replace my engine air filter?
-- Where is the power steering fluid reservoir on my car?
-- How do I test the shock absorbers on my car or truck?
-- How often should I change the brakes on my car?
-- What are some symptoms of a worn suspension system?
-- How do I dispose of antifreeze?
-- Can I use dishwashing liquid when I clean my car?

2. Self Diagnosing a Car Problem
-- How much is a new engine air filter?
-- How much is a new battery?
-- How much are brake pads, rotors, and calipers?
-- How much are shock absorbers and struts?
-- How much is a new muffler?
-- How much does a catalytic convertor cost?
-- How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
-- How much does it cost to repair or replace a radiator?
-- Why does my car hesitate while accelerating?
-- What does it mean when my headlights or interior lights are dim?
-- Why do the lights on my car or truck blink rapidly?
-- Why does my car rattle when I start it?
-- Why does my car pull to one side?
-- How hard is it to replace my own brake pads?
-- How easy is it to replace an engine air filter?
-- Why does my car hesitate while accelerating?
-- What does it mean when my headlights or interior lights are dim?

3. Seasonal Car Care Tips
-- Will paint sealants protect my car or truck from road debris like pebbles and small rocks?
-- Can I get vehicle specific floor mats for my car or truck?
-- Where can I find floor mats?
-- Will a vehicle cover protect my car or truck from the sun?
-- How well do sun shades work?
-- Should I be winter tires, or do all-season tires work well enough?
-- Does PhantomAlert provide live traffic camera views?
-- Do tire gels work?
-- Should I apply silicone spray to the wheel wells of my car or truck?
-- What should an emergency car kit contain?

4. Extended Warranties
-- Do I need an extended warranty or extended service protection plan?
-- How much do dealers charge for extended warranties?
-- What is Carchex's BBB rating?
-- How does a deductible work?
-- Will an extended warranty offer wear and tear coverage?
-- Should I buy an extended warranty for my car?
-- How much is an extended warranty from Carchex?
-- Is an extended warranty a good idea?

5. When Renting a Car Makes Sense
-- Should I rent a car when I go on a road trip?
-- What are some times to consider renting a car?
-- Are Avis' cars SmartWay-certified?
-- Does Avis provide a navigational device in all of there vehicles?
-- Does Thrifty provide a navigational device in all of there vehicles?
-- Does Dollar have passenger-side airbags in their vehicles?
-- When renting locally should I pick up a rental car or truck from an airport location?

6. DMV Locations and Phone Numbers
-- What is the 800 number for the DMV in California?
-- What is the phone number for the New York DMV?
-- Where can I find the phone number for the Department of Transportation in Texas?
-- What is the web address for the California Department of Motor Vehicles?
-- Where can I find the website for the Illinois Vehicle Services Department?
-- Can I renew my driver's license online?
-- Can I renew my vehicle registration online?
-- Where can I find a sample driving test?

7. How to Save on Auto Insurance
-- What makes up a car insurance premium?
-- Do auto insurance companies use credit scores to set premiums?
-- How can I save on auto insurance?
-- Can I get a discount on my car insurance if I have an anti-theft device?
-- Will I get an auto insurance discount if my car or truck is garaged at my house every night?
-- Will I get a discount on my car insurance policy if I drive less than 10,000 miles a year?
-- Will I get a discount if I combine my auto and home insurance policies?
-- How far back do auto insurance companies go on a driving record when setting rates?

8. How to File an Auto Insurance Claim
-- When should I file an auto insurance claim?
-- Should I file a car insurance claim after every accident?
-- What documentation will I need to support my claim?
-- Will my insurance rates go up if I do not cause a car accident?
-- Will my car insurance rates go up if I cause an accident?
-- How much will my rates go up if I cause a car accident?
-- What do I do immediately after a car accident?
-- What documentation will I need if the other party's insurance company calls?
-- How do I stay on top of the claims process?
-- What do I do if I am unhappy with the amount of the insurance settlement?
-- What do I do if my insurance claim is denied?

9. State by State Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements
-- Is car insurance required by law in Florida?
-- Is auto insurance required by law in Texas?
-- Do I need car insurance if I live in New York?
-- Am I required to buy auto insurance if I live in California?
-- What states have the lowest minimum auto insurance requirements?
-- What states have the highest minimum auto insurance requirements?
-- Is no-fault car insurance required in New York?
-- Is no-fault auto insurance required in Florida?
-- What is the minimum amount of car insurance required in California?
-- What is the minimum amount of auto insurance I need if I live in Pennsylvania?
-- What are the low-cost policy limits in the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan?

10. Refinancing an Auto Loan
-- When should I consider refinancing my car loan?
-- Is refinancing an auto loan a good idea?
-- How much can I expect to save if I refinance a car loan?
-- Can I refinance an auto loan if my car has more than 75,000 miles?
-- How does MoneyAisle work?
-- How much does it cost to refinance a car loan?
-- How long does it take to refinance an auto loan?
-- How hard is it to refinance a car loan?
-- How much are the closing costs when I refinance an auto loan?

11. Avoiding Red-Light Camera Tickets
-- How well does PhantomAlert work?
-- Can I upload PhantomAlert software to my iPhone, Blackberry, or Droid?
-- Does the Escort Radar Passport 9500ix detect red light cameras?
-- How many red light camera locations are in the PhantomAlert database?
-- Is PhantomAlert legal?
-- Can I upload red light camera locations to my GPS?
-- How do I load red light camera information to my GPS?

12. Avoiding Speeding Tickets
-- How can I avoid getting a speeding ticket?
-- How can I fight a speeding ticket?
-- How can I get a speeding ticket dismissed?
-- How does Phantom Alert work?
-- How much does traffic school cost?
-- Are radar detectors legal?
-- How much will my auto insurance rates go up if I get a speeding ticket?