- When your tires are properly inflated your vehicle will handle better because there is less friction between the tire and the road.  So, less friction equals better handling….which also equals better fuel economy and (you guessed it!) cost savings passed on to you!

- When tires are under-inflated, they put a lot of pressure on the seam where the tire meets the wheel (or rim).  This will cause damage to the seam and a trip to the mechanics for a new tire!

So how do you know when your tires are properly inflated?  You can either refer to your driver manual or you will notice a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door or door frame that will tell you what the optimum PSI level is for your tires.

If you have a bit of a green thumb and like working on your yard and garden you might find this tip useful.  In the area I live there are endless amounts of limestone rock in quarries and shorelines.  My money saving tip for you is to go to your nearest rocky shoreline or quarry and pick up some nice flat rocks to line your gardens instead of paying hundreds or even thousands for engineered landscaping stones.  I helped my parents do the same thing last summer and I think it looks great…a real rustic look.  I’ll take a picture of one of their gardens the next time i’m over there and i’ll post it.  I plan on doing the same thing around my gardens this summer.

Next, instead of buying bottled water all the time purchase a filter that connects directly to your faucet.  I know we’re probably talking about savings in cents here, but hopefully this will make ’sense’ to you (I had to do it….and I am aware that it was corny!).  Just remember that it all adds up over time.  As an added bonus, you will also be reducing your carbon footprint by using less plastic.

This next one is nothing new, but everyone could use a reminder about it….Carpooling.  If a bunch of your fellow collegues live in reletively close proximity why not all go to work toghether?  It makes a whole lot of sense considering you’ll be using less fuel and putting less wear on your vehicle because you won’t be driving as often.  And again you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint by getting a few vehicles off the road.  This is a tip that is definitely under utilized but is simple to do.  Think about it, and talk to some of your co-workers about it tomorrow around the water cooler or lunch room.

This is where K&N filters come in.  These direct replacement filters allow greater air flow to the engine while offering maximum protection against dirt particles.  The best part about these filters is that you never have to replace them….they come with a 1,000,000 mile warranty!  All that is required is a cleaning every 50,000 miles according to the K&N website.  You can buy cleaning kits at a number of stores including Canadian Tire if you live in Canada.  They sell for around $15.

This not only equals better fuel economy and fuel savings, but you’re saving a ton of cash as well.  A standard replacement K&N filter will cost you anywhere from $40-$60 which is a one time cost.  Compare that with buying a new conventional filter for $15-$20 everytime you change your oil.  Therefore, if you were changing your filter 2-3 times a year, you could  get your return on your investment in only  a year!

Think this is all to much to handle?!  Check your vehicle manual that should be in your glove box.  Most provide a diagram that shows you the location of each of the items listed above.

Another part of regular vehicle maintenance is changing your oil, oil filter, and air filter about every 5000 km for regular oil or 7000-8000 km for synthetic blends.  Oil is the life blood of a vehicle and helps keep vital components lubricated and functioning correctly.  If you don’t change your oil, the oil starts to break down and lose it’s viscosity which will in turn cause your engine components to eventually sieze…..and also cause a heafty bill at the mechanics.  Your air filter is just as important.  As air is drawn into your engine for combustion, the air filter gets rid of dirt particles in the air that could cause engine damage.  As the filter gets clogged with these dirt particles, you will be getting less air into your engine which will require more fuel for combustion….and therefore decrease your fuel economy.

Want to save even more money?  Do it all yourself!  Changing oil and your filters is actually quite easy once you learn where everything is and goes.  When I was just learning about vehicle maintenance, I started with ‘Car Repair For Dummies’.  I found it to be an awesome starter that explained everything in terms that anyone can understand.  If you’re new to all this, I would give this book a try.

Below you will find a quick link to Amazon where you can purchase ‘Auto Repair For Dummies’ for only CDN$14.39!