Many people see driving as a very expensive thing to engage in. And when thinking about the potential costs, the list can seem pretty daunting. There’s fuel costs, repair costs, insurance costs; it seems to go on and on.
But many of us need a car to get to work or to drive the family around, right? We can’t really argue our way out of that one. But there are loads of ways to save money when driving. Have a look at these tips and see where you can make appropriate cuts!
But first of all…
Could you save money by using public transport instead?
It’s an age-old argument. Well, not that old, considering how long cars have been around. But it’s a heated debate nonetheless: is it more economical to take trains or buses, or to use your car daily?
It’s true that over the course of a year the cost of driving outweighs that of public transport. This is something you should keep in mind if you already take public transport and are despairing at the constantly rising prices. Think carefully before jumping behind the wheel yourself.
This being said, many have reported that using a (very) well-worn car can save money over long periods of time. Maintenance and insurance is certainly much cheaper on an old banger, as many motorists would call it. So that is one route to consider. If you’ve already got a car and are intent on using that, then keep these things in mind.
Saving money on fuel
There’s several ways to save money on fuel. The most obvious way to make fewer trips. Whittle it down to journeys you really need a car for. The stopping and starting process takes a lot of fuel, so do it as little as you can. For that same reason, you should try to avoid rush hour. I know that sounds pretty difficult – who doesn’t want to avoid rush hour? – but we’re often so desperate to get from one place to the other that we go out into the traffic anyway. Consider leaving earlier or later.
Is there unnecessary weight in or on your car? Remove it! Carrying extra weight takes more fuel. Look around in your trunk and on the car floor and see if there are any heavy items you can leave at home.
Find parts that combine quality with affordability
Here’s some old advice you’ve probably already heard: don’t fill your car with cheap parts. It doesn’t work out in the long run because you end up having to spend more in repairs when the parts fail you.
Thankfully, it is possible to find parts that are high quality but won’t cost you an arm and a leg. A good example is Hankook tyres, which actually help save on fuel with more efficient handling.
What about even cheaper options?
Let’s get one thing out of the way: yes, the cheapest option is to take your bike or to walk. They’re also a lot healthier. This article has assumed that neither of those are feasible for your day-to-day purposes. However, you should consider getting yourself a bicycle and using that for your solo journeys every now and then!