Travel isn’t something that most people can avoid. Whether you use your car to commute to work or to get around to do things that you enjoy, the costs of running a vehicle can quickly add up. The good news is that there are several clever ways that you can save money on the overall cost of driving and cut the regular expenses required to run your vehicle. Whether you’re pinching pennies or simply want to stop paying out more than is necessary, keep these tips in mind to drive down the cost of staying on the road.
1. Consider Changing Your Car Insurance
Insuring your car is a legal requirement, no matter which state you are in. Without the right insurance, you will not be financially covered in the event of a collision, which could lead to being unable to cover the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged car or, worse, being unable to cover your medical bills.
But, while car insurance is often the biggest expense for drivers today, the good news is that there are several things that you can do to reduce this cost. If you are over 50, it’s worth looking into AARP car insurance designed for people in your age range and works through an exclusive membership scheme. AARP car insurance policyholders will have access to various discounts and rewards.
2. Drive Less
Driving less has many further benefits than simply saving money. When you get less mileage out of your car, you’ll not only enjoy savings on your car insurance but also buy less gas, leading to savings that can quickly add up. However, the benefits of walking more can stretch even further. Not only is it much better for the environment when unnecessary traffic is kept off the road, but you’ll also enjoy the exercise and getting out in the fresh air, which is much better for you compared to sitting in the driver’s seat. If your place of work or the other places you usually visit by car are nearby, one good alternative is to cycle – it’s free and great exercise.
3. Drive Safely
Driving safely is not only important for protecting yourself and others on the road; statistics show that safer drivers also tend to enjoy the most cost benefits. Not only does driving safely reduce your risk of being involved in a collision that could drive up the price of your car insurance in the future, but also, safe drivers tend to use less gas over the same length of journeys compared to drivers who are a little more reckless. Sticking to speed limits and driving cautiously can be beneficial in several different ways.
4. Consider Car Sharing
If you live near colleagues or other people who frequent the same places as you do, a car-sharing arrangement can provide several great benefits for everybody who uses it. Sharing a car to get to work in the morning and back home in the evening not only reduces the amount that everybody spends on gas significantly, but it can also be much better for the environment by consolidating everybody from different vehicles into one single car. Some people much prefer the social aspect of car-sharing compared to driving to and from work alone.
5. Service Your Car Regularly
Keeping your vehicle in good condition will not only improve its longevity but also make it cheaper to run. Simple things like ensuring that the oil is changed when needed and that the tires are at the correct pressure will not only reduce your risk of incurring costs due to a breakdown. It also means that your car does not need to work as hard to continue running smoothly, which can help you save using only the optimal amount of gas for each journey. Regularly check your tires and oil levels and take your car to the mechanic for a service at least once yearly.
6. Reduce the Weight
Adding big things to your car means that it needs more fuel to get from A to B, so you could end up spending more than you need to for a journey based on the things that you’re carrying in the trunk. If you have roof racks that you don’t use very often, it’s worth considering removing them and only reinstalling them when you need them, as they can add extra weight to the car and the extra effort that you put in will be worth the gas savings that can add up. Avoid leaving anything too heavy in your car and only carry what you need to at any given time.
For most drivers, the costs associated with running a car are not avoidable. However, the good news is that although these expenses are essential, there are several things that you can do to cut costs.
