🚗 Be Safe & Save Money

Tips from the Road by EZ Shuttle of the High Country

Who doesn’t want to save time, trouble, and money when it comes to owning a car? After years behind the wheel—and now managing two vehicles for my EZ Shuttle business—I’ve picked up a few lessons worth sharing. Keeping your car in top shape isn’t just about comfort; it’s about safety and smart spending.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

While everyone knows or should know to keep your distance from the car in front of you, but also, keep your distance from the car in front of you when you come to a light or stop sign for two reasons. 1. If the car in front you stalls, you can easily get out from behind them. 2. If you are rear ended and your car crashes into the car in front of you, guess who is at fault. YOU...for being too close to the car in front of you. If you can see where the tires of the car in front of you touch the ground, you are good to go.

🛞 TIRES

Avoid buying tires at Walmart unless you absolutely must—and if you do, stick to name brands. Mechanics I trust say even name-brand tires sold there may be lower quality due to manufacturer cost-cutting. I now buy my tires from Costco: they offer free installation, rotation, and balancing, plus a five-year road hazard warranty.

Lesson learned: I once bought cheap off-brand tires and endured a nasty shimmy for 15,000 miles before replacing them with Michelins. The difference? Like night and day.

Pro tip: Invest in the best tires you can afford. Grip and longevity matter. As for used tires (more info in this video)—proceed with caution.

🔧 TORQUE THOSE LUG NUTS

After a tire rotation, always return after 75 miles to have the lug nuts properly torqued with a torque wrench. I keep one in my big car for emergencies.

Why? After a rotation, my car developed a violent shimmy—so bad I couldn’t drive over 35 mph. A shop in Charlotte couldn’t diagnose it until I insisted someone take a test drive. Turns out, loose lug nuts on a front wheel caused the issue. That mistake cost me $500 for a replacement alloy wheel and labor.

🛢️ OIL CHANGES

Without regular oil changes

Super Walmart consistently offers the cheapest oil changes. (Informative video here) Clean oil is your engine’s best friend. Even if your manual says every 10,000 miles, stick to 5,000-mile intervals.

Also, start changing your transmission fluid every 60,000 miles while the vehicle is still young. It’s a small investment that can save you thousands down the road.

🌧️ WIPER BLADES

I now buy my blades at Advance Auto Parts and always opt for the extended warranty—usually 1 or 2 years. Their Advance Care Plus plan covers in-store replacements if the blades fail due to defects.

Bonus tip: Subscribe to their rewards program so they track your purchases (in case you lose the receipt). I also use RainX—it helps water bead off the windshield, (short video from Advance) reducing the need for wipers altogether.

Drive smart. Drive safe. Save money. And if you need a reliable shuttle in the High Country, call EZ Shuttle at ‪(828) 414-4969‬.

Pick your ride.