For many drivers, car ownership is one of the most important aspects of their lives. We use them to travel to and from work, to see friends and family and for days out - be it at the theme park or the race track.
However, the costs associated with car ownership have risen in recent times - everything from replacement parts (and the labour involved) to the fuel we use to power or vehicles.
Indeed, even our car insurance policies have seen an increase in price, to add to the cost of running and maintaining a vehicle. But there are a few small steps you can take to try and bring down the cost of running your car:
- Drive carefully: by cutting out little habits such as revving the engine whilst at traffic lights, having the air conditioning on full and driving at speed over short distances can help to save fuel, thus allowing you to go that little bit further on long journeys. Driving carefully can also help to secure a better insurance deal, as you can benefit from no claims discounts.
- Speaking of long journeys, try to plan your journey before you set off. Make use of the internet for route planning and locating petrol stations along the way can help prepare you for the road ahead. Work out where you can stop for petrol along the way, and rest regularly to beat fatigue - particularly if you're driving at night.
- Be sure to keep your vehicle properly maintained. Ensure the tyres are properly inflated, as this could affect fuel consumption if incorrect. Remove unnecessary accessories - such as roof racks and surplus clutter in the boot - in order to reduce weight, this can help reduce drag and help you save fuel.
- As well as the larger accessories, you should also check the little details - such as lights and windscreen wipers - before you put your car in for it's MOT in order to give the vehicle a better chance of a successful pass.
- Consider what type of car you drive, and whether switching to a smaller vehicle would be more economical for you. Calculate the distance you drive over a period of time and look into whether replacing your current vehicle with a smaller model would help to cut the costs. With the development of hybrid vehicles, it could soon be possible to recharge our vehicles as well as using fuel to power them.
- When it comes to insuring your vehicle, compare car insurance to help you find the best deal. Use a range of resources in order to find the best price and try contacting car insurance companies directly in order to try and negotiate a better deal.
Looking to save money on your car insurance?
Compare car insurance quotes online as well as contacting insurance companies to help with your quest for cheaper cover.
