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Drive Your Dollar Further

5.20 pm: Jill should have had preparations for dinner underway, but she seems to have spent more time in the car than the kitchen. Following a return trip to the school for Jenny's homework which her daughter left in her desk, there was extra shopping she suddenly realised she needed. By then, the fuel was running low for the second time that day and she was on the wrong side of town, yet again! So it was another ten bucks from the max-price servo before racing home to put the roast in the oven. That won't be ready till seven, okay for the dinner party, but the kids will want feeding before then so they'll have to settle for take-out. Maybe Jack can pick some up on his way home from work?

He has already left the office, late as it happens, and is stuck in the world's longest traffic jam when he receives Jill's call. Thank you very much! - more to worry about. For the next half hour he does his best to make up time, frequently hooning from lane to lane, only to discover the one he'd just left is going faster than the one he changed to. Eventually, Jack is on the freeway and just starting to relax when disaster strikes. The clutch is probably red hot from riding it for so long and it finally gives up the ghost. There's no point calling roadside assist because he forgot to pay the current premium, so he'll have to phone Jill for a lift and leave the car to be sorted out later, at his expense.

Jack and Jill Average collapsed into bed at one thirty next morning, totally exhausted following a day that might be best described as a total train-wreck. Whether they will learn from the experience is anyone's guess. Perhaps they might, if they are prepared to consider:

Improving their time-management and planning ahead so they aren't wasting fuel covering the same ground over and over instead of making a single round trip.
Ensuring their vehicles are regularly serviced and emergency-breakdown policies are paid up to date.
Having mechanical problems fixed as they occur, rather than leaving them to get worse.
Giving the car a minute or so to warm up before taking off, even though they've been told by experts that it doesn't matter.
Topping up the fuel when the price is right - not waiting until the tank is almost empty.
Driving intelligently with both safety and economy in mind. Gunning the motor and hard braking cause unnecessary wear. With time to anticipate what's coming up, a driver can increase or decrease speed smoothly. This means engine, transmission, brakes, tyres and fuel will all last longer.
If the vehicle has a manual transmission, riding the clutch for extended periods causes wear. When stationary with the engine idling, apply the handbrake, change to neutral and remove the foot from the clutch pedal until it is time to go again.
Automatics should be treated differently. When waiting at traffic lights, or in similar situations where the motor is still running, don't put it into Park - leave it in Drive and use the foot brake. This ensures that oil continues to circulate through the engine.
And, in Jack and Jill's case, buying a battery-powered alarm clock might be a thought!

Most vehicle owners are actually good drivers. There are a few who cause the rest of us problems with their careless habits and lack of consideration, but they are usually recognisable from a distance and their dangerous antics can be allowed for in advance. Not having to react in panic saves on stress and also keeps running costs down.

As for the vehicle itself which is, after all, the main focus of this issue, think back to the days before the internal combustion engine when the horse was the common form of transport. The animal wouldn't last long without a fair amount of TLC, and the modern car is no different. Treat it with respect and it will serve you well. All it takes is a little extra consideration.

Jack and Jill would be advised to be mindful of this. They might benefit further by taking a look at other pertinent articles such as: Money Matters 07 - On The Road Again; and Focus 13 - Time Management. A short read could help them towards a far better solution to their problems than a sheet of brown paper soaked in vinegar!

Next issue: Presents: Past And Future – when giving gifts, the thought does count

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Where every effort has been made to be accurate and fair-minded, comments and opinions expressed on this website are based on personal experience and do not necessarily reflect the views of the wider community or those groups and institutions mentioned. A Season of Happiness and its staff accept no responsibility for any outcome based on suggestions offered. What works for us may not work for you. Please bear this in mind.