Kyle's Corner - Tips to make your vehicle
go the distance
Adapted from "Drive the Best..."
© 2001 by Kyle Busch



If you are on a tight budget, or even on an unlimited budget, you
know how important it is to make the most of what you have.

Getting More Miles Out of Your Car
The following are some tips that will help you to get more miles
out of your vehicle.

1. First, consider, does your vehicle actually have
the ability to run many miles without incurring costly
repairs? Find out by visiting a public library to consult
the frequency-of-repair information in the April magazine
issue of Consumer Reports. If your vehicle has a poor
repair history, consider buying a vehicle that has better
ratings and fuel efficiency.

If you want to extend the life of your vehicle, at the
beginning of each month, have the engine oil level
checked to make certain that it is at the full-level
mark on the dipstick. Buying two quarts of oil that
are on sale and keeping it in the trunk, will enable
you to avoid getting stuck paying three times what
the oil should cost. Be certain to only use the type
of oil and other fluids as specified in the vehicle owner's
manual.

2. Every three months (more often, however, if specified
by your vehicle owner's manual) and prior to leaving for
and upon returning from a trip, check (or have a service
station attendant check) the tire pressure and the other
fluids that include:
Transmission fluid
Brake fluid
Power steering fluid
Radiator coolant (check the clear plastic bottle)
Windshield washer fluid
Why is it important to keep the fluids at their full-level
marks? The fluids lubricate moving parts to reduce fiction,
heat, and wear. Therefore, they are the single most important
factor for extending the life of a vehicle.

3. If you drive 6,000 miles or less per year, have the
engine oil and oil filter changed at the beginning of spring
and near the end of fall. If you drive 10,000 or more miles
per year, have the engine oil and oil filter changed every
3,000 to 3,500 miles or about every four months. An easy
way to remember oil changes is to mark a new calendar at
the beginning of a year with "oil change" reminders (i.e., May
and November or April, July, and October).

Service stations usually run specials on oil changes
(i.e., $10.99 - $13.99). However, make certain that the
station is reputable. Some stations have been known to
skip changing the oil or to do part of the job by changing
the oil but not the oil filter. To help make certain that the
oil filter was in fact replaced, use a black marker to put
an X on the new oil filter after an oil change. When the
next oil change has been completed, the newly installed
filter should not include an X.

4. Prior to winter, have a service station attendant check
the antifreeze in the clear plastic coolant bottle with a
hydrometer (a device that takes a sample of antifreeze and
specifies how cold the temperature can become before the
antifreeze freezes). The antifreeze should be able to withstand
(i.e., not freeze) temperatures of at least 30 degrees "below
the coldest" winter temperature.

If the antifreeze is too weak, have additional antifreeze
added to the coolant bottle. Purchase the type of antifreeze
as specified in the vehicle owner's manual (i.e., usually a
type that is suitable for "aluminum and all types of metals"
that are used today's engines). It important to avoid frozen
antifreeze because it can crack an engine's block which
could result in possibly thousands of dollars for the repair.

5. If you drive about 6,000 miles or less per year, have
the engine air filter changed once every two years. If you
drive over 10,000 miles per year, have the engine air filter
changed once a year in the spring. Many discount stores
regularly have sales on air filters.

6. In the spring and in the fall give the vehicle a thorough
wash, tar removal, and wax. When washing the vehicle
in-between the seasonal waxes, use a car wash product
that is safe for clear coat and waxed finishes.

7. Basic vehicle maintenance is an ongoing process. The
secret to making it "easy" and keeping a vehicle "looking
great" involves two components. First, maintaining regular
vehicle involvement and second, only doing a little at a time.

Each week throughout the year (in addition to the
maintenance suggested above) take about 10-15 minutes
to focus on a small aspect of the vehicle (i.e., wash the
windows-week one, vacuum the carpet-week two, Armor
All the dash and the door panels-week three, etc.). After
about three months, one of the "small jobs" will need to be
repeated. However, the vehicle will never be in rough shape.
Doing a "small but thorough" job on one specific aspect of
the vehicle each week, requires very little time or energy.
Having a vehicle that continually "looks great" makes it
worthwhile.

The tips provided above are the most basic maintenance
requirements that will help your vehicle to run longer. Be
certain to reference the vehicle owner's manual for any
additional maintenance required on your vehicle.

Basic vehicle maintenance involves a minimal investment
of time and money, but it will provide major benefits in
vehicle performance and lower repair costs. Additionally,
your vehicle will be in better condition when it becomes
time to sell.

Buying a Used Vehicle:
Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price:
How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or
Minivan and Save Money. He has over 300,000 miles on
his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta - a used vehicle that he bought
in 1991 for $2,600. For more information about the book,
call:1 800 839-8640 or visit: www.drivethebestbook.com.













Kyle Busch and his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta—a used vehicle that has been driven over 300,000 miles









Transportation should provide
enjoyment, not a financial burden

Adapted from "Drive the Best..."
© 2001 by Kyle Busch



What enables people to be on time for a scheduled appointment,
attend a favorite social event or recreational activity, or just drive
on a pleasant summer day? What machine do many people get
to know as if it were almost a member of the family? What
enables drivers to experience greater freedom? Of course, what
else but the automobile. Or in today's terms: the automobile,
sport-utility vehicle, or minivan.

More and more people are realizing that the cost of new
transportation can really throw a budget into reverse. In many
instances, today's new vehicle prices compare to the cost
of a new home just a generation ago.

Since dependable transportation is a necessity--do not despair;
a two to four-year old used vehicle can be purchased at a savings
of 25 to 50 percent as compared to its cost when new. Additionally,
the number of well-built, dependable vehicles has increased during
the past decade.

When well maintained these vehicles can be driven for many miles,
and they are now available at substantial savings.

The purchase of a dependable, reasonably priced used vehicle
is not a matter of chance or luck, but rather, it is a matter of
knowledge and understanding. Becoming informed is one of the
most important factors in successfully purchasing a dependable
used vehicle at the best price.

Gathering Information
Variety is the spice of life. Certainly, the number of vehicles that
are available today can add spice to one's daily travels. Literally
hundreds of different vehicles are available, but which one is the
best for you? To better determine the vehicle that satisfies your
transportation needs, first take the time to carefully identify your
current and future driving needs, then become aware of the many
available vehicles, and finally, zero in on the vehicles that best
meet your needs.

A vary dangerous frame of mind to be in is to "fall head over
heals" for a particular make or model of vehicle based purely
on emotion. Although some emotion is always part of life, it
is wise to put excessive emotions aside and focus on day-in
and day-out transportation needs.

Some questions to consider about transportation needs include:

- How many people will be transported in the vehicle?

- What type of objects and cargo will be transported
in the vehicle (space considerations)?

- Will driving be conducted in poor whether conditions
or off-road (rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-
wheel drive)?

- Will stop-and-go or interstate driving be performed?
Thus, is an automatic, a semi-automatic, or a standard
transmission preferred?

- Is there a preference for a domestic or a foreign vehicle?

- In a sport-utility vehicle, is a more rugged full box type
frame needed for off-road driving, or will a unit-body
type frame be suitable for intended general highway
driving? Additionally, what towing capacity should the
sport-utility vehicle have?

- In a minivan, are sliding doors needed on both sides,
the left-side or the right-side of the vehicle for easier
entry and exit?

- How much will insurance cost to protect the driver and
the vehicle (consider obtaining an insurance quote before
buying a vehicle)?

- What is the approximate amount of money to be spent on
a vehicle?

If you are not familiar with which vehicles meet your transportation
needs, consider visiting a local public library to consult the yearly
publication or the April magazine issue of Consumer Reports. This
objective information source provides technical specifications for
vehicles including the size, weight, engine horsepower, optional
equipment, and miles per gallon of fuel. If technical information is
desired for a specific used vehicle, review the Consumer Reports
issue that matches the vehicle's year (1998 Toyota Avalon--consult
the 1998 April issue of Consumer Reports).

After determining the type of automobile, sport-utility vehicle,
or minivan that satisfies your needs, it is worthwhile to consult
Consumer Reports' frequency-of-repair information to identify
specific vehicles that will likely have fewer future repairs.
Regarding the frequency-of-repair information, if a vehicle of
interest is six years old or less, consult the most recent April
edition of Consumer Reports. If the vehicle is more than six
years old, add five years to the vehicle's year and then consult
that year's April issue of Consumer Reports.

Web discussion groups are also a good source of "from the street"
information for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of specific
vehicles.

It is a good idea to identify at least two or three used vehicles
that meet your transportation needs. Then, instead of being in
a position to only consider vehicle A, you will have the flexibility
to consider vehicle A, B, or C. This increases your ability to
purchase a used vehicle that is in excellent condition at the
best price.

In addition to becoming informed about particular vehicles, it
is worthwhile to learn the approximate prices for vehicles of
interest.

To obtain a general idea of vehicle prices, consult the current
monthly edition of the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide at a
public library, bank, or automobile dealership.

Vehicle price information can also be obtained by consulting
the vehicle classified sections of major newspapers at a public
library. This is a convenient way to get a read on future prices,
because vehicle price trends usually begin in major cities and
then progress to other areas of the country. The bottom line on
becoming informed about vehicles and prices is to obtain a used
vehicle that is in excellent condition, with a low repair history,
and at a substantial savings.

Identifying Used Vehicle Sources
There are a number of possible used vehicle sources from which
to choose. Rather than becoming overwhelmed with all the
possible sources, keep in mind that each source is actually
competing with the others. Therefore, when shopping for a vehicle,
be certain to let each source know that you are also considering
the other sources.

Some of the sources to consider when buying a used vehicle
include:

- The Internet (Investigate if the source is reputable)

- Used automobile lots (buyer beware)

- Rental car companies

- Company vehicles

- New automobile dealerships (investigate if the
dealer is reputable)

- Private owners

Contacting a used vehicle source by telephone and obtaining
specific information can help to reduce unnecessary legwork.
The telephone inquiry will enable you to determine if a vehicle
is worth your time to investigate.

Some questions to ask a private owner or other used vehicle
source about a vehicle include:

- How many miles has the vehicle been driven
(the average is about 10,000 to 12,000 miles
per year)?

- Is the transmission an automatic, a semi-automatic,
or a manual? If the transmission is not what you
want, there is no need to ask further questions.

- What is the condition of the vehicle's body? Is
there any rust?

- Has the vehicle been repainted and if so, why?
Avoid repainted vehicles. It is better to see the
original paint even if a few small stone chips
need to be touched-up.

- Has the vehicle been involved in any accidents?
Avoid vehicles that have been involved in any
accidents.

- When are the next state inspection and emissions
standard test due? The vehicle should have a
minimum of at least six months remaining until
the next required state inspection and
emissions test.

- How often were the engine oil and the oil filter
changed, and who performed the service?
An acceptable answer would be every
3,000 to 3,500 miles or about every
three to four months.

- Are you the original owner of the vehicle?
Original owners tend to take better care of
vehicles.

- What is the reason that the vehicle is being
sold? It is encouraging if the individual is
the original owner and if he or she is
planning to again buy the same make of
vehicle.

- Are parts and service readily available for
the vehicle? Where can parts and services be
obtained? Avoid buying a vehicle if parts and
service are not readily available.

- Has the vehicle had any recent repairs (new
brakes, tires, exhaust, battery) or service
and if so, what garage performed the repairs or
service?

- What price are you asking for the vehicle?

The interior and exterior inspections and the vehicle test-drive
are used to verify the information obtained during the telephone
inquiry.

Finding More Information:
Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price:
How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or
Minivan and Save Money. He has over 300,000 miles on
his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta - a used vehicle that he bought
in 1991 for $2,600. For more information about the book,
call:1 800 839-8640 or visit: www.drivethebestbook.com.














Kyle Busch and his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta—a used vehicle that has been driven over 300,000 miles