• Constant short trips of fewer than 10 miles will kill a battery.

• Correct tire pressure aids in increased gas mileage.

• Tires and brakes are your first line of defense – maintain them.

• A windshield is a structural part of your vehicle – a cracked one is a serious hazard.

• Never pour hot water on an iced windshield.

• Hitting curbs and pot holes can cause your car to go out of alignment and tire damage.

• Maintaining proper tire pressure is critical for performance and safety.

• Make sure your car is clean when you take it in for service.  They will take better care of your vehicle.

• Don’t refuel when a tanker truck is unloading at the station.  It stirs up debris that will get in your tank.

• Make sure you have rental coverage on your car insurance.  It is VERY inexpensive and will pay for itself.

• Fuel your can when the weather is cool.  You will get more fuel for your money.

• Driving at a constant, even speed will aid in better gas mileage.

• In case of emergency, pull as far off the road as you can, engage your hazard lights and extinguish your running lights.

Use these guidelines to guard against getting ripped off by an auto repair shop:

• Find a mechanic you feel good about before your car needs major repairs.

• Take your car to a new shop for small service first, and evaluate the overall service they give you.

• Bring a checklist of what your car needs whenever you drop it off, and avoid telling them to “do whatever it needs”.

• Talk to the mechanic who will be working on your car and go for a test-drive beforehand to clearly explain and point out the problem.

• Request a written estimate.

• Get a second opinion if you feel uncomfortable with any diagnosis.

• Ask about warranty for parts AND labor on any repair, and get it in writing.

• Before work is begun, ask that old parts be saved for you.

• Go for a test drive before paying the bill to insure work was done to your satisfaction.

• Read the bill carefully before paying, and ask for clarification if you need it.

• Pay with a credit card, if possible, as this could protect you against consumer fraud.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

GAIL DUNN, President, Women’s Automotive Connection
770-722-5211
www.womensautomotiveconnection.com
autohelpgail@gmail.com

SHERRY RICHARDSON, Owner, Alan Cox Automotive
678-905-1718
`    www.alancoxautomotive.com
sherry@alancoxautomotive.com

As the weather gets colder, I am reminded of things that can happen to your car in frigid temperatures.

One is the outer fuel door on your vehicle.  Most of them are secured with a plastic bracket, and when it gets very cold, they become brittle.  Many, many times in the body shop, folks came in because while fueling, they hit the door and it broke off.  The cost for replacing and painting a new fuel door is about $200.  Just being aware that this can occur will save you money.  Don’t go banging the fuel nozzle around when it is very cold outside.

Are you one of us whose vehicle came equipped with run flat tires?  My MINI was, and they were great in the mountains on the twisty roads.  In fact, they were so sticky that you never felt any fade at all.  Because they were original equipment, I thought the ride was okay.  After all, a MINI is just a little rat with sneakers, not a luxury automobile.  Also, since the MINI does not have a spare tire, I felt it was safer to have those that would get me on down the road toward help, if, in fact, I ever did have a flat.  Well, I did, and, true to form I got where I needed to go for a replacement.  That is when the shock set in, and my doubt about the efficacy of these tires began.  The replacement tire cost me $325!!!  That would be over $1300 a set to replace!  So, I began the research.  Much to my amazement, there were many sources on the net regarding just this subject.  One of the most astounding statistics I came upon was that the average MINI driver was only getting 18-19k miles on a set of tires.  That coupled with the cost, raised my hackles.  Therefore, when my tires began to wear out (at 18,500 miles), I began another round of research to determine what my options were.  One of the best places to do this is www.tirerack.com.  You can input the make and model of your vehicle and it will give you options on tires that are appropriate for you.  There is more to it than just size.  You should consider your driving pattern, speed rating, and all of the other criteria on the tire you choose.  I elected to buy the Kumho Ecsta AST, and my price on those (mounted and balanced) was $87.  A savings of $203 each, for a total savings of $812.  When they were mounted, I immediately found that the ride was significantly smoother.  Those tires are still on my MINI and have 27,500 miles on them at this time.  From the wear pattern, they will need to be replaced somewhere between 30-40k miles versus the 18,500 on the run flats.  Later, talking to my friend Danny Brewer at My Mercedes Place, I learned that this is the tire he recommends as well.  Now i keep a Slime kit in my boot, and just keep on motoring.  It is easy to do the math, and the choice is yours.  I prefer to replace tires at $350 versus $1300 a set.

Most of us pay attention to our vehicles when they are under warranty.  Then when anything goes wrong, we can take it to the dealer have it repaired at the manufacturer’s expense.  But how many of you use this as a preventative maintenance too?

It was subject that came to mind for me last week.  My MINI warranty will lapse in 5,000 miles or two months, whichever comes sooner.  Since I was at the point of needing an oil change, it was an opportunity to stay ahead of the repair issues.  I asked my mechanic, at My Mercedes and Bimmer Place to go over the vehicle while they were changing the oil to determine if there were any potential problems that I could take to the dealer and prevent my having to pay for a repair after the warranty expires.

Fortunately, for me, it was not an especially big problem that Danny found, but one that could potentially cost me in the future.  My power steering reservoir is leaking.  Danny explained that the material from which the reservoir is made is inherently porous and can continue to erode.

I called my MINI dealer and made an appointment for next week.  I made sure to tell the circus writer that I had a faulty part and that I expected them to have one on hand when I brought the car in.  Regardless, if their track record remains intact, they will have my car most of the week.  However, they do have to provide me with a loaner while mine is being repaired.

By finding a local, independent mechanic you can avoid costly repairs.  They will advise you when your vehicle needs repair, and wither or not this repair would be covered under your warranty.  Be especially vigilant when the expiration of your warranty gets close.

Stay linked in to Women’s Automotive Connection for more advice on how to keep your money in your wallet and not in the dealership’s.