Money Saving Tips for Car Owners
Cars are expensive machines; for many people they represent the first really big purchase of their lives. The problem is, once you have bought your car the spending doesn’t stop. It is really important therefore to take every opportunity available to you to reduce expenses and save yourself a bit of money. Learning to do your own basic car repairs is a good start, and just as important is the way you drive. Our tips explore these ideas and more to help you keep your motoring costs down.
Shop around for insurance
Insurance is a necessary expense for every car owner, and costs vary depending on your vehicle, your precise circumstances and, so it seems, the whim of the insurance company. It pays therefore to shop around for the best deal. Check as many different options as you can and don’t be afraid to take your best quote to the insurance company’s competitors and ask them to beat it. You might be surprised to find that there is quite a lot of room for negotiation with some quotes. When it comes time to renew your insurance, don’t assume that your company is still the best option. You need to start the whole process again to ensure that you are always paying as little as possible.
Don’t carry unnecessary weight
The motor racing industry knows something that most of us don’t, or at least that we rarely consider. That is that reducing the weight of a vehicle significantly improves its performance and efficiency. This does not mean that you should strip you car right down and remove the passenger seating, but you can make a difference by taking out anything that isn’t serving a purpose. Many people use their cars as repositories for old junk. If you are one of them, then turn over a new leaf and clear out the boot and back seat. It may seem like a little thing to do, but over the thousands of kilometres that you drive the savings will add up.
Drive sensibly
The way you drive your car has a big impact on its efficiency. Avoid sudden acceleration and breaking as this will increase your fuel consumption and speed up the wear and tear on your breaks and tyres. To put it simply, drive smoothly and you will save money.
Watch your tyre pressure
Keeping the correct tyre pressure is really important in maximising the efficiency of your vehicle. Use the wrong pressure and you will get through fuel more quickly. Check your tyres at least once a month and before any long journeys. You will find pressure gauges at any service station and the correct tyre pressure will be listed in your owner’s manual.
Learn to do basic repairs
Major problems should be dealt with by professionals, but you can save some money by learning to perform basic repairs yourself. Tasks such as checking and changing oil, replacing a dead battery or putting in a new oil filter are all easy enough for an amateur to do.
Get your vehicle serviced
The best way to keep you vehicle running efficiently is to get a regular car service. Any money that you spend on the service will be more than made up by catching any problems before they become serious and improving the efficiency of your vehicle.
