TOP TEN TIPS TO HELP REDUCE
YOUR RUNNING COSTS
- Use less accelerator and use only enough pedal to maintain a constant speed. This reduces tyre wear and mechanical repairs.
- Keep the battery fully charged. A constantly discharged battery will not see out its full life.
- Keep your tyres at the recommended pressure. This can reduce your fuel consumption by 10% or more.
- Keep your engine clean. It makes servicing easier and reduces the risk of grease and grime build-up hampering cables and other moving parts.
- Fix small mechanical problems before they become larger ones. You can save expensive repairs that way.
- Run your car air conditioner even in winter. Just a few minutes will prevent the seals from drying out.
- Make sure you check your radiator level regularly and top it up if necessary. Use coolant, not water, as this will retard corrosion and save later repairs.
- Make sure your fan belt is tensioned correctly (about 2cm free play only). A slipping belt can deteriorate quickly and cause wear to water pump and alternator bearings.
- It pays to start winter with fresh engine oil. Old oil thickens and imposes extra strain on the engine, particularly on cold morning starts.
- Service your car regularly. A well tuned and maintained vehicle will perform better and more economically.
HOLIDAY MOTORING
- TOWING When towing, don't attach the rope to any steering, suspension equipment, rear axle or bumper. See your owner's manual for the correct towing procedure.
- BUSHFIRE If you're caught in a bushfire: park in the clearest area you can find, wind up all windows, cover yourself with rugs, jackets, etc. and tuck yourself under the dashboard.
- SLEEP AT HOME, NOT AT THE WHEEL Around 30% of serious crashes are the direct result of motorists who insist on driving on, even when they know they're too tired to continue.
- SAVE PETROL You use 25% less fuel at 9Okm/h than you do at 11Okm/h.
- MINTIES COME IN HANDY To temporarily fix a hole in your petrol or radiator tank, a half-chewed Mintie can act as a sufficient seal until you can limp to a service station or your local Repco Auto Repairer.
- BLOW-OUT If this occurs, do not make sharp changes in direction, don't brake or use the clutch. Ease up on the accelerator and if the blow-out was a front wheel, use the handbrake (gently) to gradually slow the vehicle.
- CAR SICKNESS To avoid it, try sitting in the most 'stable' part of the vehicle. Don't move around too much, and look at the horizon, rather than at the road or trees.
- OVERTAKING The 'blind spot' can be a real killer. Before overtaking, take a quick glance over your shoulder to see if a car is in your 'blind spot' It can take 1 1/2 kilometres to overtake a truck travelling at l00km/h. Make sure you have a clear road ahead.
CAR CARE
- REMOVING TAR FROM PAINTWORK Try margarine over the tar marks, leave for a couple of hours, then wipe off with a damp cloth. Repeat, if necessary.
- BALLPOINT PEN STAINS To remove mix equal parts of fresh calcium and fuller's earth (available at most chemists), then add a few drops of methylated spirits. Make into a thick paste, apply and wait till dry. Remove with damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Repeat procedure if stain persists.
- REMOVING MARKS ON CLOTH SEATS First try to absorb as much as possible. Sponge or spray with dry-cleaning fluid. Apply warm water and vinegar. Rinse with water. Keep repeating until the stain is gone. Blot dry.
- CLEAN CAR WINDOWS On foggy mornings, try rubbing a cut, raw potato over the car windows. When it dries it will keep the windows clear.
- CLEANER WINDSCREENS To get rid of windscreen film, just add a tablespoon of ammonia per 600ml of water. It works better than plain old soap and water. The plastic fittings in most new cars give off fumes, which cause a haze on the windows. Sponge with vinegar, rinse with water and wipe with a dry cloth.
- CLEAN BATTERIES One way to remove corrosion from battery terminals is to wash them with a mixture of baking soda and water.
- SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT Around 13% of our cars produce approximately half the car pollution. The majority of these are probably old, and poorly maintained vehicles. Maintaining your car, maintains the environment, and saves you money in reduced fuel bills.
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