Owning an auto means keeping up with car repair and keeping it safe. Here are some things to think about.
When an individual owns an automobile,
he or she will have to keep up with car repair and maintaining safety. Keeping everyone and everything safe includes the vehicle, passengers and others on the road. When a person buys a sedan, SUV, minivan or truck, the purchase price is only one small piece of the financial pie of ownership. Preventative maintenance, repairs, insurance and safety will need to be invested in, too. Here are some things to think about:
Preventative maintenance and repairs: Every vehicle will have an owners' manual with a timetable for routine maintenance. If these are kept up, major repair may be kept to a minimum.
- Oil changes: Oil changes must be done every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on the make, model and year of the vehicle.
- Brake jobs: Keeping up with the brake pads and parts will keep everyone safe and sound on the road, as well as the car.
- Tune-ups: Getting parts replaced, rebuilt and aligned on a regular basis will keep major breakdowns from occurring.
Safety: It's crucial to protect one's investment by keeping the automobile from being stolen as well as making sure it's a safe mode of transportation. Here are a few ideas.
- Tires: Tires must have a certain amount of tread on them or they will slip and slide, creating a dangerous situation for travelers.
- Anti-theft devices: Coming out to the parking lot at the mall and finding that your truck isn't where you parked it can give anyone a sinking feeling in their stomach. Did you forget where you parked it or has a thief made off with your set of wheels?
-The Club: The Club is an anti-theft device that fits over the steering wheel. These don't cost very much money and can be a great deterrent to thieves from stealing your ride.
-Alarms: There are many alarms available that will send off shrill sirens if anyone tries to break into your sedan or truck. It's important not to set alarms at too sensitive a setting, however, or all your neighbors will be angry as the middle-of-night breeze repeatedly triggers the alarm.
- Tracking device: Installing a geo-tracking device is another way to make sure you can always find your SUV or whatever you drive. This is popular with owners who have makes and models that are coveted by thieves.
- Watch where you park: Don't leave your red convertible BMW in a dark alley in a bad neighborhood. You're likely to come back to an empty parking spot.
- Put away the keys: If you leave a key in the ignition, you're inviting trouble. Don't even leave keys on the seat for a second.
- Hide your valuables: If you leave your purse, wallet or laptop computer in plain view, you're inviting a break-in. Put valuables in the trunk or under a blanket.
A sedan, truck, SUV or minivan is a valuable asset. It's important to keep it well maintained, perform car repair as needed, keep it safe to drive and away from thieves.
