Pledging to avoid auto trouble

I am going to quit volunteering to work KUT‘s fundraisers. The last two times I’ve signed up to answer the public radio station’s pledge drive phones, I’ve had car trouble.

If this keeps happening, I’m going to have to hold my own begging-for-dollars event to pay my mechanic!

As regular readers know, I have a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. It’s been a pretty good little car, primarily used just for commuting to work. In Florida, that meant 12 miles of suburban driving each weekday. Here in Austin, that means 0 commuting miles and just a few road trips a month to meetings.

I also I try to keep it tuned up. OK, the hubby keeps takes care of auto maintenance because he wants to make sure he doesn’t get a frantic cell phone call saying the thing has died he loves me and wants my vehicle to be safe.

Before my cousin and I headed out for our West Texas adventure last September, the hubby made sure the Chevy was fully road ready.

And he took my car into the shop a couple of months ago for its annual once-over and safety and emissions inspections. It passed all with flying colors.

PBS problems: But the hubby’s automotive attention is no match for PBS money collection efforts.

In March, I get in the car to head to the radio station to take donation calls. It wouldn’t start. The battery was so dead that a jump start didn’t work, so we got it towed to the shop.

A day and new battery cables later and I was back on the road. But I never made it to my assigned volunteer duty.

So when I got word that KUT was looking for volunteers for the fall fundraiser, I thought it was only fair that I make up for my earlier absence.

This time the right rear tire was flat.

The shop is repairing it now, so I should be able to easily meet my phone-answering responsibilities this afternoon.

But, when KUT’s spring 2008 pledge drive rolls around, I am going to think long and hard before signing up again!

Fall auto service tips: October is Fall Car Care Month. OK, it was designated so by the Car Care Council, but it’s still a great time to get your vehicle in shape.

Many of us subjected
our vehicles to wear and tear during the peak summer driving months, and winter’s on its way. These six simple checks and any repairs you might find when you
conduct them can help you get your auto ready for the coming colder months.

1. Check car tires. This includes checking tread and pressure to help improve gas mileage.
2. Replace windshield wiper blades. Summer heat can make the blades brittle and ineffective. Better to find this out before you drive into a rain storm.
3. 
   Fill washer fluid. Few things are as frustrating as needing to clear your windshield and finding you’re out of washer fluid. And as winter nears, it doesn’t hurt to keep an extra gallon of washer fluid in the trunk.
4. Check engine coolant level. Make sure the engine is cold before checking this one.
5. Check oil level and change it if necessary. If this isn’t something you want to do yourself, quick-stop oil change franchises seem to be on every other corner.
6. Test your battery. Extreme temperatures, hot or cold, make your battery work harder. And make sure your connecting cables are in good shape, too. Believe me on this one!

Don’t forget to get or restock your emergency kit that you keep in the trunk. Basics for everyone include heavy duty jumper cables, a flashlight and emergency flares. If you live in an area with harsh winters, be sure to also add an ice scraper, snow brush, small shovel, abrasive material (sand or kitty litter), blanket, gloves, heavy socks, winter boots and tire chains for snowy areas.

Some more auto maintenance tips can be found here and here.

A few minutes of your (or your spouse’s) time now can help you make minor and less costly repairs and ensure that your auto will run fine the rest of the year.