Cheaper, Better, Faster Mary Hunt - Baker Publishing Group

Automobilesthe rubber part with rubbingalcohol. You may be pleasantlysurprised to find theywere not worn out at all—justgunked up.Clutch firstOn standard or manual-shiftcars, get into the habit ofalways pushing in the clutchbefore starting the engine,whether or not the car is ingear. Besides being an obvioussafety practice, holdingthe clutch in while starting theengine lets it turn over just abit more easily, lessening thepower required from the batteryand starter motor.Condensation on windowsTo take care of the condensationthat builds up on theinside of car windows duringthe cold winter months, leavethe air-conditioning on withthe temperature in the heatposition and windows willclear like magic. Or carry anordinary chalkboard eraser inthe car. Simply erase away thecondensation.Coolant, alwaysAlways keep a mix of equalparts antifreeze and water inyour car’s cooling system, evenif you live in a mild climatewhere it never freezes. Notonly does antifreeze keep yourcooling system functioningwell, it also contains valuablerust inhibitors.Crime—avoid being followedA great way to avoid a possiblecarjacking is to be aware ofwhat’s going on around you.If you think someone is followingyou, make four rightturns, which will in essencehave you driving in a circle. Ifthat suspicious car makes thesame turns, immediately driveto the nearest police station,busy store, or service stationto seek help.Crime—cars thieves shunChoose a car not coveted bycriminals. A phone call to yourlocal police department willreveal which cars are mostlikely to be stolen in your area.17Mary Hunt, Cheaper, Better, FasterRevell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2013. Used by permission.