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Jim Ellis Audi - Marietta
Easy ways to cut your automotive costs
Tips that will save you money and wear and tear on your vehicle.
Licensing. Insurance. Oil changes. Tires. Dead batteries. Brakes. Fuel. If buying a car is a big bill, just owning one can nickel and dime your budget to death. Short of parking your car, here are some simple ways to cut the cost of operating any vehicle. Try these tips — most of which have the dual benefit of saving wear and tear on your vehicle while lowering automotive expenses — and stop blowing money out your tailpipe… or pick up a new Jim Ellis Audi - Marietta and experience true Premium Luxury at a low cost.
Slow down. According to the Energy Department, a vehicle's fuel efficiency begins to drop rapidly as speed increases over 50 mph. On average, each 5 mph over 50 is the equivalent of paying 23 cents more for each gallon of fuel. On the highway, driving the speed limit instead of "10 over" can save 10 to 15 percent on fuel. Use your cruise control to maintain that steady speed, which also will increase efficiency. You don’t have to go fast when your car looks as good as the all new Audi A3 Luxury Sedan available now for only $249 per month at Jim Ellis Audi – Marietta.
Pay your entire premium. Most insurance companies charge a fee — often as high as $10 — for paying an auto insurance premium in monthly installments. If the policy is for six months or a year, pay the entire amount upfront. If you cancel the policy later, the insurance company will refund the unused portion.
Ask about discounts. Make sure you are getting all the discounts available from your insurer. Many offer a discount for insuring multiple vehicles, for those who also buy homeowners or other insurance policies, for low-mileage drivers and for those who complete driver-training courses.
No tickets. The fine for a couple of speeding tickets can be less than the increase in insurance premiums you'll pay for years once they show up on your record, especially if you are a younger driver or if the infractions are of the "excessive speed" variety. Two or more moving violations in a year can bump you into a high-risk category and double the premium. A single violation for driving while intoxicated can land you in the high-risk pool for years.
Do it yourself. Late-model cars and trucks require very little maintenance, other than a regular oil change and the replacement of other "consumables," such as air and cabin filters, wiper blades, light bulbs and the battery. Often, replacing a bulb or a filter is something you can do yourself; you'll find the instructions in the vehicle's owner's manual. You'll save a labor charge, and you'll pay less for the parts at an auto-supply store than you might at a dealership. Some auto-parts store clerks will even offer to install new wiper blades right in the parking lot — the best deal ever.
Change the oil. Don't do this job yourself. It's a mess, and you'll be left with a gallon of dirty oil. But do get your oil changed on schedule according to the owner's manual — or the service indicator light on the dash of many late-model cars — and make sure the shop uses the correct type of oil. The correct oil-viscosity rating — 5W-20, for example — is printed on the oil-fill cap on the engine. Many new engines are designed to use "energy conserving" oil with a very low viscosity rating. Using the wrong oil — 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-20, for example — can reduce gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Check out the Service Specials at Jim Ellis Audi – Marietta’s Award Winning Service Center.
Open the hood. One a month, open the hood and check these vital fluids: engine oil, brake fluid, power-steering fluid, engine coolant, windshield washer fluid, automatic transmission fluid and the hydraulic clutch fluid on some cars. The vehicle's owner's manual will usually show you how. Other than the washer fluid, if anything else is suddenly low it could be a sign of trouble that could lead to an inconvenient breakdown, an expensive towing bill and a costly repair. It's better to get the issue checked out before something happens.
Proper tire inflation. Tires underinflated by only 6 pounds per square inch — about 20 percent in most tires — can reduce fuel economy by 5 percent, according to the experts at the Tire Rack, and reduce tread life by as much as 25 percent — another significant cost factor. The specified tire pressure for most late-model vehicles is posted on a sticker in the driver's door frame. It's best to check pressure when the tires are cool. Try to check at least once a month and add air as necessary. It's normal for tires to lose a pound or two of pressure per month.
Don't ignore the wrench. Stop driving around with the "check engine" or "service due" light glowing on your dash. It's time for professional maintenance that could improve your fuel economy. A failed oxygen sensor on your car's exhaust, for example, can reduce fuel economy by as much as 40 percent.
Sales: Contact Kirk Tracey – General Sales Manager
kirkt@jimellis.com
(770) 859 - 2834
1715 Cobb Pkwy. South
Marietta, GA 30060
Sales Open: 9:00am – 8pm Monday – Saturday
www.jimellisaudimarietta.com
Service: Contact Mark Dobinson – Service Manager
To schedule an appointment.
(770) 859 - 2834
No matter what you drive, Jim Ellis Audi - Marietta can help you out with service or repairs. Stop in or schedule an appointment and check out the Jim Ellis Difference.
