Tips & Resources

Even the most well maintained car can get stranded. Prepare for the worst with an emergency kit. Some items you may want to include in your emergency kit are:

• Cell phone (Even if you don't normally carry one. Not only can you call for help, the signal may also be used to locate you.)
• Blankets
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Safety goggles
• Small shovel
• Bag of sand or cat litter for traction
• Tool kit
• Tow rope
• Can of Fix-a-Flat
• Waterproof matches
• Highway flares
• Brightly colored cloth or a "HELP" sign
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Bottled water (beats melting snow with the matches)
• Energy bars (hey, if you're really stuck you'll need to eat)

Many of these items may seem like overkill, but they could make a difference if you were stranded for a prolonged period.

Regular car maintenance such as oil changes, tire care and brake servicing can save you money in the long run when done regularly.

It might seem costly now, especially after seeing the cost estimate from your mechanic but the longer you put off regular car maintenance, the more costly it will be in the long run.

An oil change helps keep your engine running smoothly and prevents overheating so it’s important to follow your vehicle’s recommended oil change schedule. During the regular course of driving your car, the oil breaks down and is exposed to contaminants, which reduces its lubricating and cooling properties. Different cars have different oil change intervals, but the effective use span of engine oil is usually about 3,000 to 6,000 miles.

Another important part to maintain are your brakes, one of the most important safety systems in your car. Brake pads are usually the first item that needs to be replaced. The pads wear down as they press against the brake rotor regularly. Wear and tear depend on usage but generally brake pads last between 25,000 to 70,000 miles.

Another component to check on are your brake rotors. If you feel a shaking or pulsating sensation when you push the brake pedal, that may be a sign of warped rotors, which can reduce your car’s control and ability to stop.

One other item in your car that needs regular attention are your tires. Tires continually wear down as they roll but the frequency would depend on your vehicle and type of tires, as well as where and how you drive. To keep your tires working, it’s important to regularly check that they are properly inflated and are wearing evenly. Underinflated tires can wear down faster and decrease your car’s acceleration and handling and may also negatively impact fuel efficiency.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind on how to stay safe on the road. If you’re ready to sell your vehicle, contact I Buy Cars Today.

Adjust your mirrors – In order to drive safely, you must be able to see all vehicles near your car. Adjust your mirrors to make sure that you can see the road behind you in the rear-view mirror and adjust so that you can see both sides of your vehicles and the road clearly.

Wear your seat belt – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) seat belts dramatically reduce risk of death and serious injury. People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from a vehicle during a crash. Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash.

Use turn signals properly – Using turn signals to alert drivers behind you that you are about to make a turn or changing lanes can help prevent an accident.

Maintain your tires – Checking your tires regularly is an important step in keeping you safe on the road as well as maintaining the quality of your car for resale. For optimum performance, ensure that your tires have the correct air pressure, tread depth and balance.

Don’t drive distracted - Anything you do takes your attention off the road is dangerous. One split second taking your eyes off the road could prove disastrous. Avoid texting, talking on your phone, eating and drinking or fiddling with your car’s navigation system when driving.

Any type of car accident, be it a major crash or a minor fender-bender will affect its resale value.

While you may be tempted not bring to a potential seller’s attention that car has been in an accident, it’s best to just mention it. Interested parties can always just look it up via Car Fax or other agencies to learn whether a vehicle has been damaged in an accident so it’s best to come clean about it.

If you want to sell your car but it was involved in an accident, be sure to make any necessary repairs and ensure that your car is in good working condition.

Regular maintenance of your car shows potential buyers that you’ve kept up the car’s condition and that you’re selling a reliable, well-maintained vehicle. Getting regular oil changes is a great indication of good upkeep. Here are a few reminders about oil changes:

Check your owner’s manual. – Your automaker will have a prescribed routine and recommended oil type and viscosity related to your car’s model.

Perform an oil change it at least twice a year - No matter how few miles you drive and to ensure maximum protection for your engine, it’s important to change your car’s motor oil regularly.

Check your oil level regularly – It’s best to check at least monthly to ensure that it is still at optimal levels.

Change your oil filter - When you change your oil, it’s best to also change your oil filter.

Some symbols on your car’s dashboard are more obvious than others. However, it’s important to know exactly what they mean in case any of these turn on

Low Fuel Indicator – This is a common symbol that most drivers are familiar with. If this light goes on, it means you’re running low on gas.

Oil Pressure Light - If this light is on, it can be an indication that your car is low or has no oil pressure.

Check Engine Light - This light indicates a possible problem with your car's emissions control system.

Tire Pressure Warning Light (or the TPMS symbol) – This light informs you that the pressure in one or more of your tires is too low or too high. Driving on low- or high-pressure tires can cause additional damage to your vehicle. Tire pressure should be between 30 and 35 psi (pounds per square inch).

Engine Temperature Warning - This light means that your engine is overheated. This most likely has to do with your coolant (also called antifreeze), but it can happen for a variety of reasons.

Red Brake Warning Light - This light indicates a problem with hydraulic system. Some vehicles might have this light turn on when the parking brake is on so be sure to check your parking brakes first.

ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) Warning Light - ABS checks the speed of each wheel in your vehicle and prevents your wheels from locking up. If this light is on, your ABS is not working properly, or you may be low on brake fluid.

Windshield Washer Coolant Level Indicator – This light indicates that you are low on windshield washer fluid.

Here are a few driving habits that can help you save gas and keep your car in top condition.

Observe the speed limit - While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at different range of speeds, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds over 60 mph. By observing the speed limit you can help save gas.

Avoid driving aggressively - Aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking wastes gas and can lower your gas mileage by up to 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town

Combine short trips - Combining short errands into one trip is an efficient way to save gas as well as time. Warm engines run more efficiently than cold ones.

Avoid excessive idling - Idling uses up a lot of fuel (much more than restarting your engine).

Don’t break excessively – Excessive braking wastes gas and can result in your brake pads to wearing out quickly. Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead so you don’t need to brake that often.

Not slamming on your brakes at the last-minute helps improve the efficiency of your car and save you gas.

Time your gas purchase - Gas is denser and cooler earlier in the day. As temperatures rise, gas density falls, and you’ll get less when you pump. So, try to fill up gas either early or late in the day, especially during summer months.

Also, don’t wait until your tank is almost empty so that you have more options to compare pricing and you’re not stuck paying for whatever gas station is nearby.

Here are a few driving habits that can help you save gas and keep your car in top condition.

Perform Regular Maintenance – No matter how few miles you drive, it’s important to change your car’s motor oil regularly. If you’re planning to sell your car, regular oil changes is also a great indication of good upkeep, especially if you changed your oil every 3,000-8,000 miles, in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Tune your engine regularly - A regularly (and properly) tuned engine consumes less gas.

Maintain an ideal tire pressure –Check your automaker’s recommendations and make sure your tires are inflated to the maximum PSI, measured when cold. Apart from being dangerous, under-inflated tires can decrease mileage.

Remove extra weight - Extra weight in your car creates a drag on the engine and consumes extra gas. Check your trunk and back seat for any unnecessary items that you don’t need to keep in your car.

Check your filters regularly – Clean filters help to keep cars running more fuel efficiently so be sure to check your filters regularly.

Use the right motor oil – Using the wrong motor oil can cause your engine to work harder and waste gas.

Check your vehicle’s manual to see what type of oil your car requires.

Depending on your vehicle’s age, the type of oil used and your driving habits, your oil change intervals will vary.

Older vehicles and engines with more mileage will need more frequent oil changes necessary. If you own a car that’s made in 2007 and older, change your oil every 5,000 miles or six months, or whichever comes first.

If you have less typical driving habits, such as frequent off-road driving, towing or carrying heavy loads, excessive idling or driving at low speeds for long distances, you should perform an oil every 5,000 miles or six months for vehicles 2008 and newer, and every 3,000 miles or three months for cars 2007 and older.

Lastly, when you have an older car, make sure you budget for regular preventative maintenance to keep your car running smoothly.