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Owning a car is expensive. Of course, you get the freedom to travel wherever you like at your own schedule, but it comes at a cost. First you have the cost of the vehicle itself, then you have to pay the substantial sums of road tax and car insurance. On top of that you have regular petrol costs, repairs, maintenance, and replacement parts. It can take a huge chunk out of your monthly budget and it can often seem like the cost isn’t even worth it.
But fortunately, there are several ways for drivers to reduce the cost associated with their vehicles. By adopting a few clever strategies and driving techniques, you can spend less on your car and have more money left over for the things that really matter.
To get you started on your cost-saving journey, here are 10 tips to save money on driving.
Do your research
Buying a car is a huge cost and it’s an important decision to get right. Pick the wrong seller and you’ll either be sold a poor-quality vehicle or swindled into paying an extortionate amount. It’s a good idea to talk to multiple different dealerships to find the best deals around. If buying secondhand, only buy from established sellers with good reviews. Once you have bought your car you should also shop around to find the best deal on car insurance. Use a comparison site like Compare the Market to find the best deal for you,
Pay tax and insurance annually
Car insurance and road tax are two of the most expensive costs associated with driving, and for this reason, many people choose to pay them in monthly instalments over the course of a year. This does make the cost more manageable, but the interest rate means you will ultimately end up paying more. If you can save up the money, it will be much more cost-effective to make the payments all in one go.
Photo by Oli Woodman on Unsplash
Keep your tyres inflated
When out on the road, if your tyres are under-inflated they will cause drag, which leads to your car using up more fuel per mile. You should always ensure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, which you can usually find written inside the driver-side door. This way your fuel will get you further and you won’t have to fill up as often. Be warned, some petrol stations always charge a small fee for inflating your tyres, so try to find one where the air is free or save time by buying your own pump.
Be more fuel-efficient
How you drive has a huge impact on the amount of fuel you use. If you drive too fast and aggressively, you’ll be wasting unnecessary petrol. Try to employ more fuel-efficient driving techniques such as accelerating slowly and coasting to decelerate. Go easy when using the brakes, always keep to the speed limit, and never keep your car idling unnecessarily.
Fill your tank wisely
One clever trick to help you save money is filling your tank up to the right level. A lot of people tend to fill it all the way to the top to prolong its use until the next refill, but this is not actually very cost-effective. Fuel is heavy, so the more petrol you have in the tank, the more you’ll burn. It’s wiser to keep it half to three-quarters full instead. You should also avoid driving on an almost-empty tank. When the needle is in the red, you will burn fuel quicker and it can even cause damage to your car’s fuel pump.
Find the cheapest petrol
Most people have their local petrol station where they always fill up, but are you sure you’re getting the best deal? Take a look at other petrol stations nearby to see if they offer better prices. It might be worth taking a slight detour to make the most of the cheaper fuel. If you’re on the road and you spot a petrol station boasting low-price petrol, it’s worth stopping for a top-up to save you money further down the line.
Be a better driver
One of the most annoying costs for any driver is fines and parking tickets, because they’re entirely avoidable. Avoid stupid mistakes like breaking the speed limit, stopping in box junctions or parking in restricted areas. Make sure you keep your driving license up to date whenever you change addresses.
Declutter your car
The heavier your car is, the more quickly you’ll burn through your fuel supply. If you’re the kind of person that has rubbish all over the passenger footwell and a boot full of belongings, it’s time to change your habits. Give your car a clearout and keep it clean, and you’ll save yourself a significant chunk of petrol money.
Plan your route
It’s not always the most direct route that’s the cheapest. Sitting in traffic is one of the worst ways to burn through your petrol, so it’s much wiser to plan routes that avoid busy roads. Sometimes a longer route using B-roads will be quicker than your usual route. Always check the traffic and road conditions before setting out on a journey, and try to avoid rush hour.
Drive less
It may not be the advice any driver wants to hear, but without a doubt, the most effective way to save money on driving is to drive less. That’s not to say you should keep your car in the garage and let it collect dust, but there are times when you could opt for alternative modes of transport instead. For short journeys, consider walking, cycling, or taking the bus instead. Perhaps you could carpool to work with a colleague who lives locally. This way you’ll be saving yourself a lot of money and protecting the environment at the same time.
By following all of these tips to the letter, you will eventually save yourself a great deal of money on driving. Although some costs are essential, being a better driver and planning ahead will help you stretch your finances much further each month.
