When your income is derived from driving and the open road, you must make sure that your vehicle is fully optimized. Armed with a maintenance schedule, as well as making sure you are completely insured is the perfect pairing to help you stretch every dollar, and keep you road ready and profitable.
Your Car Insurance Policy
- Take advantage of any low mileage discounts that may be available to you
- Get the cheapest car insurance to keep coverage high and premiums low
- Maintain a respectable credit history by paying bills on time and not gathering too much debt
- Raise your deductibles, especially if you are not prone to making claims
- Before buying a new car, compare insurance costs
Perform Regular Maintenance
- Change the oil regularly – after 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. If the vehicle has been heavily used during that time, consider shortening up the mileage and time frame.
- Inspect the tires – when driving a lot of miles, air pressure in your tires can reduce considerably. Easily check with a tire pressure gauge before every trip. Also check tire tread and get the tires rotated every 5,000-10,000 miles. Also, watch for tire recalls.
- Replace the windshield wipers – wipers can easily be overlooked if not regularly put into use, but once the first rain or snowstorm hits, a damaged wiper will limit your visibility and increase the chance for a crash.
- Change the engine filter – somewhat similar to the ‘lungs’ of the vehicle, a dirty engine filter will greatly reduce engine efficiency. Check it at least once a year, sooner if you’re on the road heavily, and replace it as necessary.
- Wash the car – not just for aesthetic reasons, washing the car will remove debris such as road salt, bird droppings, and tree sap, all of which can cause damage to the undercarriage and paint.
- Check the fluids – keep the car running properly by checking (or getting) the fluid levels checked. These include coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, engine oil, and transmission fluid.
- Test the lights – clean, working lights will help you get to where you’re going safely and also help you avoid a traffic ticket. Make a habit of regularly checking them (employ a friend to help determine if the rear lights are working), and clean the lights to keep them free of dirt and grime.
- Test the car’s battery – the last thing you want is to be out on the road and have your car’s battery fail. Perform the Load Test or take it to your mechanic to check the voltage.
Reconsider Your Driving Strategies
- Avoid sitting idle – when the vehicle is turned on and starts up, a little extra gasoline is burned. Allowing your car to idle for more than a minute burns more gasoline than if you were to restart it.
- Take it easy – when you drive 65 instead of 75, you will cut your fuel usage up to 20%. Driving fast and jumping quickly from a stopped position will also use extra fuel. When you moderate your driving by making gradual starts and stops and lowering your speed, you’ll see less wear and tear on the car, and you’ll save yourself money.
- What’s dragging you down? Be aware of what extra weight you might be carrying around in your car. Take out the items you don’t need, as extra weight means a drag on fuel efficiency. Keeping items in the trunk or inside the vehicle as opposed to the roof rack will also reduce drag on the vehicle.
- Purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle – when the time comes to buy a new car, consider purchasing one with higher fuel economy standards. Electric and hybrid vehicles are a smart way to go, but car makers are stepping up to the plate now with more fuel efficient conventional gas powered cars, as well.
- Check for the car’s correct octane gas – 94% of cars on the road today require regular octane gas, while the remaining perform better with higher octane. If you’re unsure, check the owner’s manual for this information. Don’t make assumptions or use higher octane gas as it won’t necessarily improve your car’s performance levels.
Life on the road can be hard. Whether you’re a delivery driver or a traveling salesman, you can increase profits and productivity by optimizing your vehicle’s performance. This includes regular maintenance checks and finding the best insurance coverage to keep you well-covered and provide serenity and peace of mind.
