It’s that time of year again! Folks everywhere are making New Year’s Resolutions that they are convinced will help them become better people in many ways in 2019. And most of those resolutions can (provided you can stick to them of course) With all of this in mind we’ve put together this list of New Year’s Resolutions you can make as a driver that will not only help you become a better one but help you take better care of your vehicle and save money too!
Resolve to Save Money on Gas
Although gas prices have been fluctuating rather wildly throughout 2018 whatever the price at the pump the last thing that any of us want to do is spend more than we have to on gas. While you might not be able to cut down on the amount drive you can cut the amount of fuel you use in several different ways:
Warm Up Your Car for Shorter Lengths of Time
If you wake up to a cold morning, don’t warm up the car for longer than 30 seconds (up to one minute if you must). If you idle the engine for more than a minute, you waste fuel and pump nasty greenhouse gas emissions into the air. Engines of modern cars do not require the extensive length of time that older models needed to warm up.
Slow Down and Drive Steady
Driving fast may be fun, but it also increases drag, which increases fuel consumption. Driving just below the speed limit and driving smoothly (not accelerating quickly) uses gas more efficiently, so you may have to fill up a lot less often.
Monitor Your Tires
Under-inflation causes tires to wear out faster and wastes gas. Properly inflated tires reduce friction and offer better gas mileage.
Tune the Engine
Car engines need to be regularly tuned. A properly tuned engine uses less gas, so if you can’t remember when you last had a tune-up, it may be time to schedule one.
Resolve to Cut the Road Rage
Yes, some people out there on the road seem to have been put there just to annoy you. And yes, there are some really bad drivers out there (no, we don’t know how they passed their drivers test either) But getting angry behind the wheel is only going to distract you from being the good driver you know you are. Don’t let someone else’s mistakes affect your driving. Keep your cool, and be on your way!
Resolve to Treat Your Vehicle to Regular Maintenance
Keeping on top of your car is key to it lasting. And that means when it comes to little things as well as big ones. If your oil needs changing, have it changed, don’t wait and see ‘how far your can push it’. If your car is shaking slightly when you drive, but ‘not a lot’ don’t ignore the message it’s trying to send.
Chances are that a simple alignment is all you need but it could be a sign of something worse (and driving a poorly aligned vehicle kills your tires anyway) We could offer a lot more examples but the bottom line is this; if something, anything, seems to be wrong with your vehicle take it to your mechanic right away.)
Resolve to Broaden Your (Driving) Horizons
Speaking of car maintenance after your spring or summer checkup – why not plan something amazing for a roadtrip this year once you know your vehicle is in tip top shape? Hop in your car and go somewhere you’ve always dreamed of. You’ll build up your confidence out on the road, and have an amazing time whilst doing so. Win win!
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