How to reduce your motoring expenses
Driving is, for the most part, quite expensive. With the current cost of living crisis and driver’s relying on their cars more than ever before it’s likely that the costs of driving is on lots of people’s radars.
However, there are some key areas to look at if you want to bring down your motoring expenses. Let’s take a look at them.
Try to drive as economically as possible
Driving a little more economically is a great place to start when it comes to saving money. A way to kick things off is by not overfilling your car’s fuel tank and ensuring that any unnecessary weight is removed from your car - this ensures that it’s as light as possible which, in turns, means your car will use less fuel.
Try and drive at a more constant speed, too, rather than constantly accelerating or decelerating. Shutting off your engine when stopped in traffic will help as well.
Swap to a more fuel-efficient car
Though it’s certainly not an option for all car owners, switching into a more economical vehicle can pay dividends in the long and short term. Newer cars are cleaner and return better consumption figures, while electric cars are exempt from road tax and cost considerably less to maintain, too.
Though hybrids might still use petrol or diesel, the inclusion of an electric motor helps them to offer considerably better efficiency levels.
Keep on top of your maintenance
Unexpected repairs can often arrive with costly bills, which is why it’s a good idea to keep on top of your maintenance and repairs. Make sure that your tyres are in a good condition with plenty of tread and check your oil and fluids are at the right levels as well. If anything looks broken or out of the ordinary, then make sure that you get it checked out by a trained mechanic.
You should also keep your car serviced on time, which will hopefully mean any potential issues are spotted - and fixed - early.
Assess your insurance costs
If you are considering a change of car, then it might be a good idea to consider one in a lower insurance group to the car you currently have. It’ll quickly drive down the cost of your premiums.
You should also use a comparison site to shop around for the best deals, but don’t be afraid to pick up the phone, either - this can often be a way of getting well-priced insurance premiums.
Plan ahead
A little bit of planning goes a long way, particularly when it comes to driving. Plotting your route ahead of time will save money on fuel by ensuring you’re on the most direct route possible. It’s also a good idea to leave a little earlier in order to miss peak traffic times. Jams, of course, slow you down and cause fuel consumption to rise.