6 tips to save on your vehicle maintenance

Today, thanks to the internet we have plenty of advices and hints to save maintaining our vehicle, we have plenty of tutorials for whom are a little handyman; from changing lamps, brushes, etc to oil changes, and some dare to change pads and cushions. After years of use with my Xsara Picasso, I share with you the ideas and optimizations that can be applied to your vehicle to save money, helping the nature too.

1. Change the rubber instead of the entire windshield wiper

Change only the rubber and be ecofriendly

By changing only the item that is worn, save up to 85% and contribute to the environment . The difference can be $ 75, and will be putting tires of the highest quality. The other day I had to renew clean, they began to make noise and clear bad, and building a chewing the front to put it to the back (which almost never use), I happened to look to see if they sold loose gums, and the truth is that almost no places where sold. To replace them really is very simple, if we follow indications from the web (e.g. FYZ in this forum (click) . They can be purchased on Ebay, or websites -wiper blades or limpia-parabrisas.es for Spain, among others. 

2. Save fuel and enlarge the life of your motor engine with synthetic oils

If your car is back to 1994, is likely to accept this type of oils, far superior to mineral oil from life. 
They cost up to twice more minerals, but its benefits far outweigh its cost, and will provide the following benefits:

1. Greater protection . Oils are  made ​​with more advanced refining and have a higher purity and quality, in addition to which additives are added, resulting in a more homogeneous structure and fluid molecules with chains of polymers and more difficult to break and additives to give better properties; more protection fluidity and low temperatures, improved resistance to decomposition by high temperatures, etc. so your engine will wear less andlast up to 80% more .
2. Lower consumption. With a more stable viscosity over a greater temperature range, has a higher degree of protection at low viscosities, which can be used finer oils without loss of performance, such as 5W30 (if your car is accepted by Manual ), resulting in a motor that rotates with less effort, yet still being cold, reducing fuel consumption between 5 and 20%.
3. Less maintenance . By resisting longer harsh working conditions, oil changes are postponed to 12,000-15,000 kms, saving costs of maintenance.

All this translates into savings each change of € 100 minimum (counting only 5% savings on fuel at 15,000 kms).

So you just have to check on the vehicle maintenance manual oil that you choose meets the specifications required by your engine; usually come viscosities and accepted standards for diesel normally ACEA C3 for diesel equipped with diesel particulate filter (soot often dirty the oil in diesel). No goals will lower viscosity than permitted by the manufacturer ! In the long run could wear / prematurely damaged engine parts.

We may also use problems if the engine oil and has many miles using mineral oil, have higher clearances, but while this consumption is not excessive, will always give better results than a mineral synthetic one.

More info:

http://www.shell.es/products-services/on-the-road/consumer-lubricants-tpkg/right-oil.html

http://www.mobil.com.mx/mexico-spanish-lcw/heavydutyengineoils_why-mobil-delvac_why-synthetics.aspx

3. Change LED lamps

Increasingly, those who bring this technology by default, but if your car already has a few years, I recommend changing brake lights and interiors by homologated lights, or at least have a minimum of quality and safety.

I installed some Chinese , and darling with them because they can pose a fire risk for bad design, although modified and it took them two years with no problems, and I think it will last over 20 years.

Changing them  will be saving lamps 60 € approx.  in the life of the vehicle, and more labor.

Lights low and high beam, H7, H4 and the like, there is still no substitute for proper LED; light or less, or catch so hot that last little, and we can not risk such an important issue as the see and be seen at night.

4. Reduce the bill and CO2 emissions: Share vehicle contacting with other users

Its use is completely legal (at least in Europe), as we are sharing the costs of a planned trip, as under the existing law; thousands of passengers already use this system between the main cities of Europe, with travelers saving up to 60%, and the driver saving up to 80% of maintenance and fuel, with more flexibility and speed.

Thanks to the control points and websites, we can travel safer.

5. Drive more efficiently: Save up to 60% fuel

Often not accelerate arrive earlier , especially if we are in town, where consumption over soar with aggressive driving, which can make a significant difference in consumption, wear parts (brakes, engine), wheels, etc.

It is usually best to get the engine at medium engine speeds , which is more carefree and consume less, but depends on the load of the car, slope of the street, etc. 

There are websites with more information and tips on driving adapted to the situation, so I will refer to them .

6. Use "ECO" tires

Today all brands of tires have lower power versions, (Micheling was one of the pioneers in this field) which offer lower rolling resistance, and there are specialized websites that compare the grip, durability and economy of these tires, which usually are highly recommended .