As college students, commuting to school is a reality for many of us.

Not everyone has the luxury of affording a new car without problems, so here are tips on car maintenance from Gary Houseman, owner of Made In America/Made in Japan, located off of Howe Avenue and Arden Way.

1. Inform yourself on the state of your car by paying attention to noises and leaks.

2. Save some money by changing basic things on your own such as air filters.

3. Have your car seen by a certified technician two to four times a year to have your car inspected.

4. Do not waste money by buying parts that you do not need.

5. Invest in good gas. Get gas from Chevron, Shell or 76 and avoid getting it from places like Arco. It can destroy catalytic converters and can cause damage to the engine over time.

Apart from Houseman’s tips, there are plenty of things students can do to try and preserve the life of their vehicles – at least until they can afford something better. According to Reader’s Digest, there are simple things we can do to prolong the life of our cars.

• Lighten up the weight of your key chain. Having a heavy key chain dangling from your ignition can eventually lead to ignition switch failure.
• Use tape from automotive stores to cover up cracked headlights or taillights to prevent water seeping in and causing damage to the lights.
• Keep your engine clean with a wet cloth while protecting the sensitive parts. A clean engine will run smoother.

Try 8 DIY Car Maintenance Tips You Can Handle on moneycrashers.com or Save Money with Simple DIY Car Repairs on Yahoo Shine.

http://www.moneycrashers.com/diy-car-maintenance-tips-checklist/

http://shine.yahoo.com/at-home/save-money-simple-diy-car-repairs-131700312.html