Tires are expensive. To save money, rotate your tires periodically to make them live longer. Rotating tires is necessary because of normal wear and tear. While driving, all the turning, braking, accelerating and parallel parking causes friction on the drive tires (front wheel or rear wheel drive). This results in uneven treads. To counter this, rotate your tires front to back, roughly every 5,000 to 10,000 miles depending on the make of the vehicle.

Do not rotate wheels from side to side or criss-cross. To do this alone, car owners will need to purchase a torque wrench, usually near $30 to $40.

Most cars are picked up and shipped to urban destinations, so if you live in a rural area, you may need to make special arrangements to receive your car. Some things to keep in mind include:

• Prices for vehicle shipping are route-based, which means your quote will take into consideration not only the distance to travel, but also the conditions of the road, the weather and the difficulties to be found along the way. Car delivery to Midwestern States, for example, is usually more expensive than shipping to any other area of the continental US, because the distances are not only longer but open roads are more likely to be flooded, obstructed by accidents or closed for repairs without warning.
• Deliveries to rural areas are also more expensive because chances are your car will be the only one going there, so the cost of those extra miles cannot be split into several vehicles.
• There are also price differences depending on “how” rural your area is. Vehicle shipping to the outskirts to the city will be a lot cheaper than sending your vehicle to farmland in the middle of Iowa.

When you’re thirsty, what do you do? You take a swig of water. Well, your car needs to drink sometimes too. So, you must pay attention and give your vehicle a drink when necessary. There are six main fluids to be aware of.
1. Oil, or engine fluid, is vital for your car engine. To check it, drive for five minutes, park, wait an additional five minutes, then pop the hood and check the dip stick.
2. Radiator fluid keeps your car cool (or warm in the winter). Make certain there is enough water or anti-freeze in the radiator. Pop the hood and you will find the radiator cap right in front of you, dead center. Very important: do not open this while the vehicle is hot.
3. Transmission fluid should also be checked. For automatic cars, this is checked with the car running via a dipstick right next to the oil dipstick and often a little below it. For manual cars, or stick shifts, this is done underneath the car with the engine off via a fill plug.
4. Brake fluid can be checked usually in the engine compartment. If you can’t find, it consult your car owner’s manual for the break fluid reservoir. Do not do this in the rain.
5. Battery fluid should be checked too. Some batteries don’t need fluid checks at all but most still do. Pop the hood, find the battery and fill the six cells as needed. Always use distilled water.
6. Window-washing fluid is located in a white, plastic container in the engine compartment near the back of the engine below the windshield. Some cars have them in the back as well for rear windows.

While many shipping companies insist on having your vehicle stripped clean of any belongings before it can be accepted for transportation, other companies allow owners to pack items inside, as long as some rules are followed. When items are allowed, the following restrictions are usually in place for vehicle transport.

• You can’t pack anything live. This includes pets and plants. Perishable products are also not allowed.
• No valuables can be left inside. Cash, jewelry, personal paperwork, watches and other personal items.
• Dangerous items that can result in a fire or explosion must also be taken out before vehicle shipping. This goes from the obvious ammunition and gas tanks to matches, gasoline, propane, sprays and aerosols.
• No illegal items. While it may go without saying that you can’t keep drugs or contraband inside your car, you’re also not allowed to transport anything that may be considered illegal without the proper paperwork, such as certain prescription medication, needles or even guns.

Finally, do keep in mind that items left inside your car are usually not covered by insurance and the company won’t be responsible for any damage.

Better safe than sorry. A roadside emergency kit can make the difference between inconvenience and misery, or worse. With a little bit of preparation drivers can lessen the chances of a screaming fit of rage because the car broke down at midnight in the middle of nowhere. Even when traveling short distances, the items listed below can prove valuable. Many companies sell all-in-one roadside kits but drivers can easily put together one on their own. buy a decent bag to store everything in too. Here are some suggestions.

• Fluids:   1 gallon of anti-freeze, a quart of oil, five gallons of water.
• Tools: A multi-tool that has a pocketknife, pliers, screwdriver, awl combo. Vice-grips and an adjustable wrench. Duct tape, tire gauge, tire inflator products, extra fuses. Of course, all tire changing gear too. Ice scrapper.
• Safety: Flashlight, extra batteries, two flares, cell phone or radio.
• First Aid: Water, snacks, matches, blanket, and a basic first aid kit available from any pharmacy.