12 Tips for Reducing Your Car Expenses
In recent years, the cost of owning a vehicle has increased significantly due to factors such as inflation, rising gas prices, interest rates, inventory shortages, and unprecedented dealership delivery times. However, by changing your driving habits and making informed choices, you can save a substantial amount of money on your car expenses.
Shift to Fuel-Efficient Driving Techniques
By adopting a few simple driving techniques, you can significantly reduce your fuel consumption and lower your car expenses.
1. Reduce Your Speed
The faster your car is moving, the more air resistance it encounters, which means the engine has to work harder and burn more fuel to maintain the car’s speed. Generally speaking, every kilometer over 100 km/h increases gas consumption by 11-20%. By accelerating gently and maintaining a steady speed, you can reduce your fuel consumption.
2. Accelerate Gently and Maintain a Steady Speed
Accelerating from 0 km/h to 50 km/h consumes four times as much gas as accelerating from 0 km/h to 25 km/h. This is why sudden dips and bursts can be expensive. If you continually increase and decrease your speed between 75 km/h and 85 km/h every 18 seconds, your fuel consumption can increase by more than 20%.
3. Open the Windows or Turn on the AC, Depending on Where You Are
When driving in town, roll down the windows. This can reduce your fuel consumption by 20%. On the highway, do the opposite. Having open windows on the highway makes your car less aerodynamic, which can lead to more fuel consumption.
4. Don’t Idle
Turn off the engine if you have to stop the car for more than a minute, except when you’re in traffic. A car with a 2-liter engine consumes about 1.2 liters of fuel for every hour it idles. In the winter, don’t keep the car running just so you can have the heat on; you’ll have plenty of time before your car’s cabin temperature starts to drop. In the summer, park in the shade and open the windows as soon as you get in the car.
Take the Most Eco-Friendly Route
Several online trip planners now offer eco-friendly routing. They use artificial intelligence to estimate carbon emissions based on traffic, road incline, and other variables, and then recommend the route that will lead to the lowest fuel consumption.
Keep Your Vehicle in Good Condition
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure your vehicle runs efficiently and effectively.
6. Do Regular Maintenance on Your Vehicle
If you forget to change the oil, clean a clogged air filter, or replace a spark plug, the engine might not work properly, and it may guzzle up to 20% more fuel. When it comes to changing your oil, be sure to use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil to reduce your fuel consumption by 1-2%.
7. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Underinflated tires wear out faster and create more resistance, which means they negatively impact efficiency. Tires that are underinflated by 4 psi or more can increase fuel consumption by up to 2.8%. Inflate your tires to the proper tire pressure as indicated on the inner side of the car door and check the tire pressure once per month as well as before long road trips.
Choose the Appropriate Method of Transportation
Before using your car, consider alternative methods of transportation.
8. Leave Your Car at Home
Is it absolutely essential to use your car? Whenever possible, use other methods of transportation such as walking, cycling, and public transit. That way, you won’t have to spend money on gas and you can protect your car from unnecessary wear and tear.
9. Choose a Vehicle that Fits Your Everyday Needs
The most eco-friendly choice is driving a vehicle with the right size, engine power, and features for your usual needs, not your occasional ones. Do you drive through the mountains and on poorly maintained roads often enough that you really need a vehicle with 4-wheel drive? Because, on average, this type of system increases your gas consumption by 1 L/100 km.
Choose a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
When purchasing a new vehicle, consider a fuel-efficient option.
10. Choose a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle
Gas-powered vehicles: Compare models by checking out automotive review guides as well as the most recent edition of Natural Resources Canada’s Fuel Consumption Guide. Depending on where you live and how often you travel, you may want a vehicle that is more fuel-efficient for city driving, highway driving, or both.
Plugin hybrid electric vehicles and all-electric vehicles: On average, plugin hybrid electric vehicles and all-electric vehicles cost 10-20% less per month than comparable gas-powered vehicles. And this is after taking into account the cost of the lease or loan on the vehicle. Once the vehicle has been paid off, the energy and maintenance savings are about 37% for plugin hybrid electric vehicles and 75% for all-electric vehicles compared with equivalent gas-powered vehicles.
Adopt Smart Financial Habits
In addition to saving on fuel and maintenance, consider these financial tips to reduce your car expenses.
11. Bundle Your Home and Auto Insurance
In most instances, bundling your home and auto policies with the same provider can help you save more on your insurance.
12. Track Your Safe Driving Habits
Many insurers offer usage-based insurance programs, like Ajusto, to help you track your safe driving habits and behaviors and enjoy a more personalized car insurance premium. Plus, you can get an automatic 10% discount on your car insurance for the first 6 months when you sign up for Ajusto today.
By following these 12 tips, you can significantly reduce your car expenses and keep more money in your pocket.
What are some fuel-efficient driving techniques?
By reducing speed, accelerating gently, maintaining a steady speed, choosing to open windows or use AC based on location, and not idling, you can reduce fuel consumption.
Why should you take the most eco-friendly route?
Using eco-friendly routing can lower your fuel consumption by choosing the most efficient path based on traffic, road incline, and other factors.
How often should you maintain your vehicle?
Regular maintenance, such as changing oil, cleaning the air filter, and replacing spark plugs, should be done regularly to ensure your vehicle runs efficiently.
Why is keeping your tires properly inflated important?
Properly inflated tires reduce wear, minimize resistance, and improve efficiency, potentially saving up to 2.8% in fuel consumption.
What are alternative methods of transportation to using a car?
Walking, cycling, and public transit can be used as alternatives to driving, saving fuel and reducing wear on the car.
Why is it better to choose a vehicle that fits your everyday needs?
A vehicle optimized for your typical driving conditions is more fuel-efficient and cost-effective than one designed for occasional use.
Why should you consider a fuel-efficient vehicle?
Fuel-efficient vehicles reduce gas consumption, saving money on fuel costs. Additionally, electric and hybrid vehicles offer even greater savings.
What are the financial benefits of bundling home and auto insurance?
Bundling home and auto insurance with the same provider often results in lower overall policy costs.
How can smart financial habits help reduce car expenses?
Smart financial habits, such as bundling insurance policies and tracking safe driving habits, can lower insurance premiums and overall car expenses.
What is usage-based insurance, and how can it benefit you?
Usage-based insurance tracks safe driving habits and offers personalized premiums. Some programs also provide automatic discounts for new subscribers.