• Change your oil as directed in the owner’s manual. While changing the oil every 3,000 miles is an easy guideline to remember, most cars do not require such frequent changes. Many of today’s models can go 5,000 miles or more between oil changes.
• Check your tires. Worn out or improperly infated tires can reduce your gas mileage and become a safety hazard.
• Check your fuids, especially antifreeze. We all know that gunk accumulates in the crankcase and gas tank, but we forget that the radiator system can also suffer from corrosion and other problems if not properly maintained. Radiators do need an occasional fush and refll, and fall is the time to handle that so you’ll have fresh antifreeze for the winter.
• Give it a breath of fresh air. Summer can be a dusty time of year, so check the car’s air flter and replace it if needed. A clogged air flter can be a real drag on mileage.
• Get a good coat of wax on. Keeping the car’s body intact is important for both maintenance and safety. Waxing the car in fall ensures it will be ready to repel the salt and other chemicals used on icy roads.
• Clean out the car and the garage. Hauling around heavy junk in your car reduces gas mileage. Take the time to pull the junk out of your car and garage. Then donate or sell the items to make room for where your car should be in the winter – in the garage, protected from potential storm damage.

With proper maintenance, today’s cars can be safely driven much longer, saving you cash both today and down the road.