Best Ways to Save Money on Your Auto Expenses |
Posted: May 30, 2017 |
One of the things that new car owners soon realize is that owning a car costs a lot more than you think it does. There is a never-ending string of costs that come along with car ownership. From taxes, title fees, registration, gas, cleaning and maintenance, your bank balance can shrink rapidly if you do not know how to keep your automobile expenses in check. To help you out, here are five tips on the best ways to save money on your auto expenses.
1. Buy the Grade of Gas That Is Recommended by the Manufacturer
Many people put premium gas in their tanks even when the manufacturer recommends a lower grade of fuel. This is simply wasteful. The recommended grade of gasoline is the grade that will give your car the best performance and fuel efficiency. Don’t put premium gas in your car unless that is the manufacturer’s recommended grade.
2. Stop Driving Like a Maniac
Aggressive driving is like driving around with a small fire burning away in your wallet. Every mile of aggressive driving costs you more money. Aggressive driving burns fuel quickly, increasing your carbon footprint and wasting your money. In fact, researchers have found that aggressive driving can lower your fuel efficiency by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in town. This can add up to hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
3. Check Your Tire Pressure
You should check you tire pressure every time you fill up or at least once a week. Driving around with your tires either overinflated or underinflated will decrease your gas mileage. It only takes a minute or two to check your tire pressure, and that small investment of time can lead to some massive savings on your fuel costs. Even if you have a tire pressure monitoring system built into your car, they are not very sensitive. It is always best for you to regularly check the tire pressure manually to ensure that you are riding around with perfectly inflated tires.
4. Lower Your Insurance Rates
One of the car costs that you should look to slash as soon as possible is your car insurance. Most car owner are paying more than they need to for their auto insurance. If you want to save money on your auto insurance, then you need to shop around for a new policy. With the Internet at your fingertips, you can quickly compare rates from several top insurance providers to find cheap car insurance that keeps your car protected for less. If you have several automobiles, bundling your policies with one provider can get you a lower rate.
5. Find a Trustworthy Mechanic
If you know a reliable mechanic you can trust, he is worth his weight in gold. As anyone who has ever been to a garage knows, auto repairs are not cheap. You need to find a mechanic who will always steer you to the most cost-effective maintenance and repair options for your vehicle. If you do not know a good mechanic, you need to do whatever it takes to find one. Ask friends and family for their recommendations. Check out online reviews. Contact your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau for recommendations. Whatever works, finding a good mechanic is one of the best things you can do to lower the costs associated with car ownership.
While it is always exciting to get a new car, every time you do so costs you money. It is important to do everything you possibly can to lower the amount you spend on your vehicle. If you follow the five tips above, you will be well on your way to keeping your auto expenses under control. Keep looking to find other ways to keep your costs down. When you are clever, you will constantly discover lots of new ways to reduce the costs of car ownership.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|