Saving Money by Taking Care of your Car - $50 Amazon Giveaway

You wouldn't spend years sitting on the couch eating chips and expect your body to be in good health, would you? Would you also expect your car to be in good condition if you neglected it for years?

The truth is, we need to take care of our things. And you can save a lot of money by taking care of your car. Here is my top 5 list for saving money on car repairs (and keeping up your resale value.)

#1 Perform all scheduled maintenance
Air Filters, brake pads, transmission fluids, fans, alternators, oil filters, belts, fuses, lights, windshield wipers, spark plugs.... This is just a small list of the things that need to be maintained and that can easily fail. Having your car routinely checked out can save you on major headaches in the future.

#2 Keep it clean
Why would you spend thousands of dollars on a vehicle, just to use it as your trash heap? If your kids throw cheerios on the floor, pick them up! Or better yet, have a no eating in the car policy (that will keep your car clean and help your waistline!).

I have a friend that let her children stick gum all over the seats in her brand new minivan. Her husband ended up cutting the gum out of the seats. What a waste! Their car lost a tremendous amount of value when they cut apart the seats. And you lose value by letting snow and ice rust your exterior. Or dirt and grime cause chips and dents.

And your car loses tremendous resale value if it's filthy or smells inside. Even imagine the customers/friends you might lose if they step into a dirty mess of a car.

#3 Keep your gas tank and tires full
Running out of gas will cost you big time. It may destroy your engine, but it will certainly destroy your day. You'll be late. You'll have to pay a fine or a fee for assistance. Plus keeping your tank low, makes it harder to start your car in the winter - putting extra stress on the starter and engine.

Filling your tires makes sure you get the optimum gas mileage. And it means you're checking the tires regularly for damage. A few months ago, I noticed a bulge in one of my tires and $170 later, I was told that it was only a matter of days before that tire would have blew out.

I would have been stranded. My rims and axles could have also been damaged, and if I was on the freeway, it's possible I could have been involved in a collision or serious accident.

#4 Drive responsibly and respectfully.

If you drive like a maniac, it goes without saying that you are risking your life and the lives of others. But you are also guzzling more gasoline and risking damage to your vehicle. You are also risking a ticket from the police - and the resulting increase in your insurance premiums.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Show respect on the road!

#5 Keep your Insurance up-to-date and make sure you have enough insurance!
Make sure you keep your insurance up-to-date and make sure you have enough coverage! I can not stress this enough. About 10 years ago, my sister was in a collision while driving my car.

Luckily for her, I had full coverage. But not really good full coverage. She endured broken bones, surgeries, rehabilitation, and a lasting disability. In the end, she was never made whole. But it could have been worse. Know what it means to have good insurance, and make the phone call.

You can also save by preparing for future needs by signing up for programs like the Allstate Good Hands Roadside Assistance program.

It's a service offering pay-as-you-go roadside assistance. You don't need to have Allstate insurance to use this service, there are no monthly fees (you only pay when you use it!) and it's easy to sign up. You can sign up for free below:


By pre-registering, you will receive a welcome kit in the mail containing a wallet card, key fob, and window cling with the phone number for roadside help. You'll have the help available in case anything comes up.

So what are you waiting for? You can sign up using the widget today! And even better - Allstate is offering one Suburban Jungle reader a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

To Enter: Share your best piece of advice for keeping your car in top operating condition. Leave your answer in the comments below - this is a mandatory first entry and must be completed before any other entries.

Bonus Entries:

• For 2 extra entries - Leave a comment when you Register for the Allstate Roadside Assistance Program (it's free - just use the widget above and enter your email address) below telling me that you signed up. (I will tally the entries)
• For 2 extra entries - Leave a comment when you Download the mobile app and comment that you downloaded it 
• For 1 extra entry -Leave a comment and your tweet url if you tweet the following: {Just entered the Allstate #ghrgiftcardgiveaway via @suburbanjung Could win a $50 Amazon Gift Card. Your turn! http://tinyurl.com/3joag3z}
• For 1 extra entry - Leave a comment with your link url if you share this giveaway on Facebook (through the widget or by including this link)

*This contest will end on August 29, 2011 at 10:00 AM EST. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning are not increased by a purchase. The winner will be selected by random.org and notified by email. This contest is being handled by me and the gift card is being donated by Allstate/Good Hands Roadside Assistance. This is a sponsored post.
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