If you change your own oil, it may be a good idea to replace your drain plug with a magnetic version. These will trap any metal particles or shavings in your engine, both preventing possible damage as well as letting you know something may be wrong (if you find a bunch of metal shavings attached!).
Tip: Use a magnetized oil pan drain plug
During extremely cold weather any accumulated water in your car will freeze. This could be in your radiator, engine, trunk (yes, I've had water freeze in my trunk), or fuel system. One way to safeguard your fuel system is to make sure you always have the tank at least 2/3 full. On the chance that you have some water in your fuel system, keeping the gas abundant will decrease the risk of a freeze.
TIP: In really cold weather, keep your gas tank at 2/3 full or more.
You've probably seen these bright yellow cans at your local car parts store and wondered if the product really works. The short answer is Yes it does. While I normally don't endorse any products on this site, I can speak from experience that Fix-A-Flat is the perfect short-term solution to a flat tire if you don't have any other options. One can will inflate and patch a normal sized tire (follow directions on can).
Regardless of the kind of car you drive, your driving patterns (primarily your speed) will greatly affect the gas mileage you receive. In the past, studies showed that ~50 miles per hour was the most optimal speed for getting the best mileage. As engines have become more efficient this number has undoubtedly increased. A good rule of thumb these days would be to make sure you don't exceed 60mph and you should get pretty good mileage!
TIP: Keep your driving at 60mph on the highways to optimize your gas mileage .
The way your car handles, your gas mileage, and vehicle safety, are all affected by the amount of tread left on your tires. If you let them wear down you increase the chances of poor handling (e.g. sliding in the rain), a flat, and even worse a blowout.
TIP: Check your tread wear once a month. A good rule of thumb with mst tires is to place a Penny inside the tread groove and if the top of Lincoln's head can be seen, the tread is worn away and the tires should be replaced.
Car wax is designed to be applied to a clean surface that is at the most warm to the touch. Once applied it should dry naturally, usually taking a few minutes; once dry the excess wax is removed with a polishing cloth to achieve the desired shine. Applying wax in the sun usually causes it to harden faster than it dries, thus making it difficult to remove.
TIP: Wax your car in the early morning or afternoon, in the shade.
All engines will perform better if they use the highest octane gas available (usually 91 these days). The engine should run smoother and you may even get better gas mileage. The few dollars extra you'll pay is well worth it.
TIP: Even if you don't drive a high performace car, using the highest octane gas will improve performance.
The shift knob on your manual transmission car acts as an outlet for vibration from the engine and transmission. Holding the shift knob continuously causes the vibration to affect the transmission internals.
TIP: Only have your hand on the shift knob when you are shifting so it can vibrate freely.
Your engine can get the most wear when you first start it up, as the crank and pistons are working but the oil pump really has not had the chance to distribute the oil.
TIP: Start your car and let it idle for 5 minutes before you drive to work in the morning. That will give the oil time to distribute itself before the engine has to do any real work.