Sick cars: millions may be on the road

What is a sick car? I am referring to cars that lack normal maintenance and/or may need some type of mechanical work. Routine maintenance on a car consists of things like regular oil changes, keeping the brakes in good condition, and enough tread on the tires to be considered safe on the road. Some more serious repair items would be the radiator, belts, or even transmission issues. The longer routine and more serious repairs are delayed, the more likely it is that your ailing car will malfunction or simply stop working at all.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in June, the number of unemployed was 14.6 million; the unemployment rate was 9.5 percent. We also have thousands of people who have given up looking for work, as well as families who work minimum wage jobs. That said, we do have a lot of people with a limited amount of money trying to maintain their vehicles.

It should be especially noted that this is a trap situation 22 for the unemployed. Without transportation, it’s hard to find and keep a job, but without work it’s hard to pay for car maintenance and repairs. If you have a damaged car or are tight finances, here are some suggestions that may help:

1. drink your car–This is very important. Drive your car at or just below the speed limit. Don’t hit the brakes at stops; easy braking. These two things will slow down the wear on the tires and the car. It will give you time until you can perform the necessary repairs and maintenance. Jack Rabbit starts to burn more gas and uses more tread on the tires.

two. Phone calls–Make phone calls instead of driving whenever you can. An example would be calling ahead for store hours instead of driving to the store and finding out it’s closed. If you preserve the mileage, you preserve the life of your car. This really makes sense even for healthy cars.

3. shared car–When you go to meetings or church, you can carpool. No one needs to know that you’re cutting out some of the trips your car takes. Take turns occasionally with your friends to drive. If you have a job, this is still a great idea to reduce your car usage and high gas prices.

Four. Do it yourself–Of course, this is not for everyone. If you can do mechanical work, change your own oil and filter. Many specs and repair manuals can be found online for those who want the challenge. This will save labor costs. Also look for discount parts, including parts found in junkyards. Don’t forget that eBay also has cheap prices on many auto parts.

5. ask a friend–Local mechanics can do small jobs for a minimal amount of money, either in your home garage or hidden away in an unadvertised location. Sometimes even retirees enjoy doing this type of work at a very reasonable price. So ask your friends for personal recommendations. This worked for me when I moved to a different state.

6. Barter or exchange services–If you have any kind of talent or services that you could trade for auto repair, give it a try. Maybe you’re good at cleaning. Offer to clean in exchange for repairing the car. You’d be surprised these days what works!

7. Walk or ride a bike–Yeah, don’t always get in the car when you can easily walk wherever you’re going. Cycling to your local store is also an option; attach a small basket to your bike for purchases. This is a real winner as it also benefits greatly from increased physical exercise.

8. Public transport–Taking the bus is another great way to reduce your car use. If you live in a big city with an excellent transportation system, this may be the answer. This is another one of my favorites. I met some of the most memorable and lovable people who traveled by public transport. I saved a lot of money too.

If you have a sick car and a limited budget, you may be able to implement some of these tips depending on your circumstances or where you live. However, whatever you do, make sure the levels are topped off, like oil, water, and transmission oil. Levels that are too low can cause the engine to stop. I know; it happened to me.

Also be aware that your car may become “unsafe” for the road if certain repairs are delayed. However, sometimes for free, a good mechanic can tell you if your car has reached that stage. Chances are your car won’t get to that point. With a little ingenuity and a few of these tips, you may be able to bring your car back to health.