Smart Auto & Tirecraft

Tip 21: Use Less Expensive Gas

2012-02-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Unless your car is knocking and pinging, don't use a higher octane gas than your owner's manual recommends. For most cars, premium gasoline offers no benefit. Unless your car has a high-performance engine and your manufacturer recommends a high-octane gas, use the less expensive gas. Premium gas costs 10% to 15% higher than regular.

Potential Money Savings: $200-400/yr.

Tip 20: Shop Around for Insurance

2012-02-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Shop around for insurance. If you're getting good service from your company and are happy with the rates, you may want to stay with them, especially if you have had accidents or tickets. But if your record is good, shop around to see how much you can save, then decide if the savings are worth the switch.

Potential Money Savings: $50-200/yr.

Tip 19: Car Pool to Work

2012-01-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

Car pool to work. By sharing the driving with just one other person, you could save an average of $20/month or $200/year in gasoline alone, if your commute is 40 kilometers round-trip each day. Sharing the driving with two others increases your savings even more. Savings vary depending on the length of your commute. In addition to savings on gasoline, you'll save maintenance costs and wear and tear on your car.

Potential Money Savings: $400-700/yr.

Tip 18: Combine Insurance

2012-01-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Consider combining your auto and homeowner's insurance under one policy. Many insurers give a discount for multiple policies.

Potential Money Savings: $50-200/yr.

Tip 17: Balance Your Tires

2012-01-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

Add thousands of miles to the life of your tires by having them balanced once a year. In addition to destroying the tread, improperly balanced tires can wear out your shock absorbers and damage your suspension system, leading to more expense.

Potential Money Savings: $175-250/yr.

Tip 16: Avoid Tickets

2012-01-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Avoid tickets for speeding or moving violations. Many insurance companies give a discount of up to 20% if you have not had an accident or ticket for three years or more.

Potential Money Savings: $100/yr or more.

Tip 15: Plan Your Errands

2012-01-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Save fuel by combining errands into one trip and avoid backtracking whenever possible.

Potential Money Savings: $25-100/yr.

Tip 14: Student Discounts

2011-12-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

If you have a high school or college student under 25-years old in your household, ask about the good student discount for auto insurance. If your student qualifies, you could save 25%.

Potential Money Savings: $125/yr.

Tip 13: Check Fluid Levels Regularly

2011-12-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

Check fluid levels regularly. Check coolant, automatic transmission fluid, brake and clutch fluids.

Potential Money Savings: $50-300/yr.

Tip 12: Ask Your Insurance Agent Before Buying a New Car

2011-12-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Before buying a new car, ask your insurance agent whether the model you are considering will require a surcharge due to higher theft, damage or repair costs.

Potential Money Savings: $50-200/yr.

Tip 11: Carpooling Benefit

2011-12-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

A benefit to car pooling is that it reduces the annual mileage on your car. Since this reduces the risk of accident, your insurance company charges you less for your coverage.

Potential Money Savings: $25-50/yr.

Tip 10: Check Your Tire Pressure

2011-11-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Check your tire pressure regularly. You can lose up to 6% in gasoline mileage for every pound of under-inflation.

Potential Money Savings: $140-400/yr.

Tip 9: Qualifying for Insurance Discounts

2011-11-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Make sure you notify your insurance company of all the safety features that qualify you for discounts on auto or homeowner's insurance, such as automatic seat belts or air bags in your car, smoke detectors in your home, etc. Non-smokers or non-drinkers can often get additional discounts.

Potential Money Savings: $50-100/yr.

Tip 8: Cleaning the Air Filter

2011-11-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

Check your car's air filter monthly. A dirty filter shortens the engine's life and reduces gasoline mileage up to 10%. You can clean the filter by removing it and blowing it with an air hose, or you can replace it.

Potential Money Savings: $130/yr or more.

Michelin Safety Video

2011-11-10T10:55:00.001-07:00

Great video on car safety!

Tip 7: Don't Overflow Your Tank

2011-11-08T11:00:00.000-07:00

Don't "top off the tank" when pumping gas. Some of the gas may end up overflowing when it expands in the sun or if you park on a hill.

Potential Money Savings: $20-53/yr.

Tip 6: Insurance Advice for Older Cars

2011-11-01T11:00:00.000-06:00

If you drive an older car, consider dropping collision and comprehensive coverage (don't drop liability coverage). Collision coverage is required if you have a car loan, but for older cars that you own, weigh the car's book value (what the insurance company would pay you if the car was totaled) against your collision premiums. If your car is over five years old or is worth less than $1000, keeping collision and comprehensive coverage may not be worth what you're paying in insurance premiums.

Potential Money Savings: $100-300/yr.

Tip 5: Don't Let it Idle

2011-10-25T11:00:00.000-06:00

Don't warm your car up by letting it idle. The engine warms up faster when driving than it does when idling, and idling wastes about a quart of gas every 15 minutes.

Potential Money Savings: $90/yr.

Tip 4: Keeping Your Vehicle Tuned

2011-10-18T11:00:00.000-06:00

Keep your car properly tuned. A poorly tuned car uses between 25% and 33% more gasoline each year. It's cheaper to pay the cost of a tune-up.

Potential Money Savings: $150-250/yr.

Buy Tires and Win a Dream Vacation

2011-10-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

More info and the link to enter here: http://www.tirecraft.com/Home/DreamVacationOnlineContestFall2011/tabid/301/Default.aspx

Tip 3: Smart Insurance Planning

2011-10-11T11:00:00.000-06:00

Ask your insurance agent how much money you can save by raising the deductible on your auto collision insurance. Often, raising the deductible from $200 to $500 can save you 10% to 30%. If you have a good driving record, you could come out ahead.

Potential Money Savings: $50-225/yr.

Yokohama Tires - Winter Tire Rebate

2011-10-06T15:34:00.000-06:00

Offer good till December 1st

Contact Smart Auto & Tire at 403-948-0400 for more info or send email to: info@smartauto.ca

Tip 2: Stopping Wasteful Driving Habits

2011-10-04T11:00:00.000-06:00

Wasteful driving habits can double your fuel consumption. Develop gas-saving habits, such as:

(1) Always accelerate gently;

(2) Watch traffic ahead of you so you can anticipate slow-downs and avoid stops;

(3) Coast up to traffic jams by lifting your foot off the gas pedal instead of approaching at full speed and slamming on the brakes. It takes 20% more gas to accelerate to normal speed from a full stop than it does from four or five miles per hour;

(4) Don't drive too fast or too slow. It takes 20% to 30% more gas to drive at 70 mph than 50 mph;
(5) Maintain a steady speed on the highway. Avoid getting stuck behind slow cars where you have to slow down to their pace and then speed up to pass.

Potential Money Savings: $390/yr.

Career Opportunities

2011-10-03T09:00:00.000-06:00

Smart Auto & Tire is looking for people with the skills and experience to meet the needs of our customers. As a Smart employee, you will be part of a growing team with a commitment to safety and work place values, and you will learn from some of the best in the industry.

Smart Auto & Tire offers competitive wages and benefit programs and all Smart employees follow a continuing education program that keeps us current on new technology.

We are currently looking to fill the following positions:

Service Advisor
Tire & Oil Change Technician

Please forward your resume to info@smartauto.ca and state which position you are applying for.

Cooper Tires Fall Offer - Up to $75 Rebate

2011-09-29T11:00:00.000-06:00


Offer Good Till November 7th

Contact Smart Auto & Tire at 403-948-0400 for more info or send email to: info@smartauto.ca

Tip 1: Saving Money on Future Maintenance

2011-09-25T18:29:00.000-06:00

Change the oil and oil filter in your car every 5,000 kilometers, regardless of how often your owner's manual recommends. More frequent oil changes are the single most important factor in extending the life of your engine, and will more than pay for themselves in savings on repairs and engine wear.

Potential Money Savings: $500 - $3,000.

Smart Auto & Tirecraft

2011-09-23T12:31:00.000-06:00

Personalized Service, Professional Car Care

Welcome to our new blog! Smart Auto has been serving Airdrie for over 20 years now with 14 years under the same ownership. We are happy to now be able to share money saving, auto repair and other car tips with both loyal and new customers! Every Tuesday there will be a new tip posted! Stay tuned.