CARS
Owning a car or truck is generally the most expensive way to get around, costing on average $8,000 per year; driving also wears down roads, contributes to local pollution, and emits about 20 lbs of carbon dioxide to global warming per gallon of gas burned. The good news is, carpooling and sharing rides drastically cuts the financial and other costs of driving, while helping others and building a stronger community!
Safety Information
1.) Children’s safety seats—Carefully read the owners manuals for your vehicle and car seat before traveling with children. See also: Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2009 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Check to be sure that your child’s seat hasn’t been recalled at: Child Safety Seat Recalls, a site provided by the for-profit group onlinedmv.com.
2.) Road side assistance :
Have your cell phone with you on the road, or buy and keep a charged prepaid phone in the car for emergencies. Your cell phone may even offer a towing plan.
Emergency assistance coverage
Many car insurance companies offer emergency roadside assistance services, but you may want to check and see if and how your rates will go up if you use it. In addition, many car dealerships and even credit card companies offer emergency roadside assistance plans.
Car Clubs
You might also consider joining a car club. Member benefits usually include towing, locksmith, battery, fuel delivery services, and other travel perks. You may want to research the lobbying activities of your car clubs. For example, Better World Club has a reputation for being more environmentally-friendly than AAA in its lobbying activities.
Ways to Save:
1.) Maintain your vehicle – a well-tuned car burns less gasoline. Get your oil and air filters changed regularly. Use the correct oil. Check your tire pressure – underinflated tires waste gas and will reduce your tire’s lifespan.
2.) Lose the extra weight– every 100 pounds you carry inside your car lowers its fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. So don’t use your car to store your golf clubs and other stuff. And keep luggage inside the vehicle. Luggage strapped on top will increase the drag on your vehicle.
3.) Calm down– fast, aggressive driving wastes fuel. Maintain a constant speed and try to avoid rapid acceleration and braking. For every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $.24 per gallon for gas.
4.) Too hot? – use the air conditioner if you’re going faster than 40 mph. When you’re driving around town, it’s more efficient to roll down your windows.
5.) Walk, bus, bicycle, carpool? – think of ways you can reduce the number of car trips. Going somewhere less than ½ mile away? Try walking instead. Check out your public transit routes to see if taking the bus could save you some money. Ask around at work to see if someone from your area could share the ride to work.
6.) Get a gas app – Dozens of apps and websites are out there that can help you find cheap gas on the road. GasBuddy.com is just one.
7.) E-Z Pass– E-Z Pass will help you avoid toll booth lines, saving you idling time and gas.
The Oneida County Dept. of Motor Vehicles is located in the Utica-Boehlert Center Union Station 321 Main Street (315) 798-5749.
The Rome Dept. of Motor Vehicles is located at 301 West Dominick Street (315) 336-6790 on each Wednesday the satellite office is at the following locations:
1st Wednesday: Camden Town Hall
2nd Wednesday: Boonville Town Hall
3rd Wednesday: Bridgewater Municipal Bldg.
4th Wednesday: Sherrill City Hall
The hours are 10:00 a.m.-2:00p.m.
