Owning a car is a large financial responsibility. In fact, AAA estimates that a car costs around $8,558 a year in upkeep. However, there are easy and simple techniques to save on car expenses. If you’re looking for ways you can save money when it comes to your car, keep reading for some helpful tips.
1. Use Apps to Save Money on Gas
If you’re looking to save money on gas, consider using an app or website that shows you the gas prices of stations around you. Just remember, you shouldn’t drive to a cheaper gas station that’s out of your way. Try to combine all your errands when you’re driving so you don’t have to make extra trips.
2. Change Your Driving Habits
Another way to save money on gas is to change the way you drive. Rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding will quickly waste gas and can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway. Your gas mileage also decreases every time you drive over 50 miles per hour. Finally, if you’re parked and waiting, you’ll save more fuel if you turn off your car. Restarting your car uses about 10 seconds worth of fuel while idling can use up to a half-gallon of fuel every hour.
3. Reconsider Your Insurance Needs
There are multiple ways to save on car insurance if you know what questions to ask. If you work from home or drive less than 5,000 miles a year, see if your insurance company offers a discount. Also, ask your insurer about bundling policies. Insuring your house and car with one company could save you around 10 percent a year. Don’t forget to mention safety features in your car and home, such as air bags and smoke detectors, which can get you additional discounts.
4. Learn Basic Car Maintenance
While there are certain maintenance tasks that are better left to the professionals, there are also ones you can easily do on your own. When you complete these maintenance tasks on your own, you only have to pay for the cost of the parts and you save on labor. For example, it’s very simple to change the air filter in your vehicle, and this will keep your engine clean and improve fuel economy. Check your local dealership for the parts you need.
5. Read the Manual for Maintenance Timeline
When you do need to take your car to a professional for maintenance, make sure you read the owner’s manual so you know what needs to be completed and when. While conventional wisdom states that a vehicle’s oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles, newer cars and synthetic oils can easily get between 5,000 and 10,000 miles before needing an oil change. By following the correct oil change schedule recommended for your car, you can save around $30 for each change.
Whether you’re looking for tips on how to save on gas or routine car maintenance, these techniques can help you save on car expenses.
Image by stevepb, used under CCO 1.0
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