Maintenance & Repairs

While the merger of Sirius and XM reduced some satellite radio competition, there's still a good chance of scoring a lower subscription rate just by asking (or threatening to cancel).

As...

While the merger of Sirius and XM reduced some satellite radio competition, there's still a good chance of scoring a lower subscription rate just by asking (or threatening to cancel).

As an example, the XM Everything package is listed at $12.95/month (as of May 2010) which works out to $155 for the year. Anyone can sign up for their yearly rate of $143, or multi-year rate of $116. But if you threaten to cancel your service, you might be offered a rate of $88/year, which is almost 50% off the regular rate, and 25% off their lowest published offer.

Here's the LOZO: always ask, "is there an even lower rate?". You might just find out there is. In fact, XM was also willing to offer 5 months for $23, equivalent to $55 for the year!

If you are not sure how to compare the rates, just divide the rate by the number of months for a monthly rate. The lower the monthly rate, the better. It's a bit of a gamble as to whether to commit to a longer term or grab the lower rate. With new (and often better) offers coming all the time, you'll probably end up better in the long run by grabbing the cheapest rates when they are there, and then trying again when your subscription is up.

Getting regular oil changes for your vehicle is the most important thing you can do to keep your car running smoothly and to get the best gas mileage. They can save you anywhere from $500 to...

Getting regular oil changes for your vehicle is the most important thing you can do to keep your car running smoothly and to get the best gas mileage. They can save you anywhere from $500 to $3,000 in auto repair and maintenance costs over your vehicle's lifespan, plus it will help your car live longer and save you up to 2% on gas costs. 

So what does 'regularly' mean? Traditionally the recommendation was an oil change every 3,000 miles or every 3 months. However for modern cars and less severe driving, your owner's manual may suggest an interval as long as 7,500 miles or 6-12 months which can save money on oil changes. In addition to oil changes, be sure to change your oil filter and to use the recommended motor oil for your car (check your owner's manual).

If you're a DIY kind of person, great! You'll save even more money. If not, the cost of regular oil changes is still worth the investment and should save you money in the long run.

A LOZO expert posted this tip.

It is much cheaper to pay for regular tune-ups than to pay for costly repairs that can result from your car breaking down – and breaking down is much more likely if the car is not properly...

It is much cheaper to pay for regular tune-ups than to pay for costly repairs that can result from your car breaking down – and breaking down is much more likely if the car is not properly maintained. In addition, cars that are poorly tuned use 25%-35% more gasoline, a waste of more than $300 per year for a car that gets average gas mileage.

For cars under warranty, get regular servicing at the dealership – most of this maintenance is already covered by the warranty. For cars without, find a reputable auto shop and become a loyal customer; you will benefit by getting the best service and by using a mechanic who knows your vehicle's history.

Improperly balanced tires can not only wear out the tread on the tires, but can also wear out the vehicle's shock absorbers and damage the vehicle's suspension system – both of which can lead to...

Improperly balanced tires can not only wear out the tread on the tires, but can also wear out the vehicle's shock absorbers and damage the vehicle's suspension system – both of which can lead to costly repairs. Get tires balanced every year to drive safer and save money on car repairs.

Summer is a wonderful time to travel with your family, and AAA has been reporting record numbers of us are taking car trips to get to our destination. Gas prices are not quite as high as they were in...

Summer is a wonderful time to travel with your family, and AAA has been reporting record numbers of us are taking car trips to get to our destination. Gas prices are not quite as high as they were in the spring, but they can still put a dent in any family’s budget with fill-ups costing $50 or more. Here are some tips to save on gas and ways to get your whole family involved, just like we do at LOZO!

Before you dive into these tips, here’s something to keep in mind: every extra MPG you save can add $100 or more to your pocket each year. So, even though some of these changes may seem small, they really do add up!

• Lighten the Load: The heavier a vehicle is, the more gas it consumes. Cleaning out your car and storing items you don't need regularly will make your car lighter to drive. We turned our car cleanout into a family activity and encouraged everyone to reduce the number of items they needed on hand (and to vacuum up all the lost Cheerios). Getting 100 lbs lighter can add 1-2% to your MPG, that’s up to 8 cents per gallon saved every time you fill up!
• Slow Down: Speed limits aren’t just for safety, they also make your car more fuel efficient. Driving 55mph saves 21% in fuel economy over driving at 65mph. In fact, every 5 miles per hour you drive over 50 is like paying an additional $0.26 per gallon. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by up to 33% as well. Not to mention, safer driving teaches habits you’ll want your kids to emulate, and they’ll will be even safer in that back seat. 
• Save up to 25% on Gas by Tuning up Your Car: Basic car repair can be very easy and teaching your child these skills is a great bonding experience (as well as a great money-saving lesson.) A poorly tuned vehicle is less efficient and wastes gas. Similarly, clogged air filters lead to poor air flow & dirty oil decreases performance—both of which worsen gas mileage. If you are unfamiliar with what to do, your local auto parts store can give you free advice or you can borrow a free book from the library. Keeping your car running well and your fluids changed and replenished regularly will save you money on gas and at the repair shop. The small cost of these repairs can save up to $500 per year on fuel. 
• Plan Your Route: It costs around 15-20 cents in gas to drive 1 mile, not to mention other wear and tear on your car. Get the family together to plan destinations for your journey, and then try optimizing your route to minimize the miles you have to drive. Use online tools like Google Maps to plan optimal routes with multiple destinations. 
• Properly Inflate Your Tires: Check your tire pressure regularly. Over- or under-inflated tires make your car run less efficiently, resulting in lower gas mileage. In fact, every pound of under-inflation equals a 6% drop in fuel-efficiency, that’s more than 20 cents per gallon wasted. Find the recommended tire pressure for your car in the owner's manual or printed on the jamb of the driver's side door. Most gas stations have free air and tire pressure gauges to use, and having properly inflated tires is like getting an extra ½ gallon of gas for free. Checking and inflating tires is fun for kids, but always make sure your child is fully supervised. 
• Let Kids do the Math: If your kids have learned math and division, let them put it to practical use by figuring out your MPG rating after each fill-up. Here’s how: after each visit to the gas station reset your trip meter to 0. Next time you go to the pump have your child write down the number of miles you’ve driven and the amount of fuel you put ba

The phrase “saving money” and the word “car” don’t seem to fit into the same sentence. Time and time again, car owners wind up spending too much money just to drive back and forth to work...

The phrase “saving money” and the word “car” don’t seem to fit into the same sentence. Time and time again, car owners wind up spending too much money just to drive back and forth to work each day. Yet, there are plenty of ways that you can make your car work for you – and save a few bucks in the process. 

If you're a Nascar fan, you're probably tuning into the Friday night Nascar Nationwide race (9/10/10 7pm ET ESPN2) at Richmond International Raceway. The event is headlined by Virginia 529...

If you're a Nascar fan, you're probably tuning into the Friday night Nascar Nationwide race (9/10/10 7pm ET ESPN2) at Richmond International Raceway. The event is headlined by Virginia 529 College Savings, a perfect fit with LOZO's mission to help people save money on everything!

In honor of the event and the sponsor, here are some of our favorite money-saving tips on all of these topics: Auto Repair, Event Tickets and College Savings.

From Buxr.com on 05/14/13 Not combinable with other promotional offers or coupons. Limited to one redemption per customer Promotional codes and/or coupons apply to regular-priced merchandise only;...

From Buxr.com on 05/14/13

Not combinable with other promotional offers or coupons.
Limited to one redemption per customer
Promotional codes and/or coupons apply to regular-priced merchandise only; sale and clearance items not eligible.
Excludes gift cards, Hot Items and special offers including, but not limited to, Buy One–Get One, 2-For-1, and Oil Change Specials.
Excludes select items and categories: air chucks, couplers and blow guns, air compressors, air hammers, commercial tools and equipment, electrical tools and testers, engine hoists/stands, floor jacks, generators, Hot Items, hydraulic fluid and motor oil.

From Buxr.com on 05/14/13 Not combinable with other promotional offers or coupons. Limited to one redemption per customer Promotional codes and/or coupons apply to regular-priced merchandise only;...

From Buxr.com on 05/14/13

Not combinable with other promotional offers or coupons.
Limited to one redemption per customer
Promotional codes and/or coupons apply to regular-priced merchandise only; sale and clearance items not eligible.
Excludes gift cards, Hot Items and special offers including, but not limited to, Buy One–Get One, 2-For-1, and Oil Change Specials.
Excludes select items and categories: air chucks, couplers and blow guns, air compressors, air hammers, commercial tools and equipment, electrical tools and testers, engine hoists/stands, floor jacks, generators, Hot Items, hydraulic fluid and motor oil.