Any mechanic will change a car's oil for the cost of the product and labor. Yet it is easy to change oil and a driver can save hundreds each year on auto repair bills depending on how often he drives the car and how old the car is. Keeping in mind some small details can save a driver even more. Buy a good quality oil- There are many things you can buy at a value price, but oil is not one. Choosing cheap oil to save money affects the engine significantly. Quality oil has additives in it to help the car run smoother and keep the engine clean and free from all the buildup that clogs engines. It is the only choice for older cars. Be prepared to get dirty- It is obvious that oil is a black greasy mess. Working under a car with dirty oil that splatters is a sure sign that you should wear old clothes. Put on a bandana or hat to keep your hair clean. When you are finished, take a shower to get the oil off of your face and remove the smell from your body. Your significant other will thank you. Dispose of the oil responsibly- We only have to look back on a major oil spill to see what oil can do to the environment. Oil can not only suffocate animals but it is highly flammable. Instead of throwing away the oil or letting it run into the street, catch it in a tray and recycle it either at a landfill or at the nearest service station. Keep track of your mileage- Experts recommend changing a car's oil every 3000 miles. The average car can go for 5000 miles without needing to. No matter how often you decide to change the oil, it is easy to forget the last time you did it. Use a small notebook in the glove compartment to note the mileage when the oil was changed and when it should be changed again. Be safe under the car- Put the emergency brake on and use chocks to hold the wheels in place. It only takes the car to move a few feet and you are in major trouble. Do not ever smoke while changing a car's oil or you risk the liquid igniting. Accidents happen every year and can kill someone just trying to save money. | |
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Choosing a car that is right for a family can be difficult. They have to be affordable and have a lot of space for the essentials. Each type of family needs a different car, but safety will always be the most important thing in a family car. Although the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has increased their standards, several cars have won their Top Safety Pick Plus for 2014.
Mazda 3- A small family just starting out would fit this car. It gets 41 MPG and has i-Activesense, an electronic safety system. It detects cars in the front, back, and sides of the driver and signals them if they need to take action to avoid an accident. The headlight system turns off high-beams for other cars and turns the lights when the driver turns the car. The Mazda 3 starts at around $17,000. Subaru Outback- SUVs are popular among families because they tend to be spacious, durable, and safe. Subaru offers symmetrical all-wheel drive for optimum control. Like i-Activesense, the Outback uses EyeSight® Driver Assist which can also slow the car before an emergency situation occurs. The frame is designed to protect passengers in an accident by diverting the impact. It gets up to 30 MPG and prices start just under $23,500. Mitsubishi Outlander-< Starting at $23,000, the Outlander seats seven people and gets up to 31 MPG. It comes with a rear-view camera and different wheel control settings for various terrains. What stands out is how affordable the Outlander is. It won the 2014 Kelly Blue Book 5-year Cost to Own award. It also has a warranty that lasts up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Toyota Highlander-$29,215 is the minimum price for this car but it usually goes around $43,590 to include many of the popular features. It can seat seven or eight people which is perfect for a mid-size family and a dog or two. With 25 MPG it has a towing capacity of 5000LBs for family vacations in campers. The Highlander also comes with a system that checks tire pressure to keep the driver safer. Honda Odyssey- Families can expect to pay at least $30,000 for this minivan. It can get up to 28 MPG. The body is designed to distribute impact force throughout the whole car. Daytime headlights keep the driver visible in any weather. Best of all, the Odyssey is highly compatible with multiple models of child seats with the LATCH anchor system. Resources: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/news/desktopnews/thirty-nine-vehicles-meet-tougher-criteria-to-earn-2014-safety-awards-from-iihs http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/safety.html http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=M3S#awards-reviews http://www.mitsubishicars.com/outlander/features/performance http://www.toyota.com/highlander/#!/Welcome |
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