There’s no getting around the fact that driving these days isn’t cheap.
However, by following these five simple steps, you might be able to save yourself a surprising amount of money and make your motoring more affordable.
1) Get the best deals on car insurance
If you’re not careful, you can end up shelling out a small fortune on financial cover for your car. But by making sure you don’t simply go for the first offer you see, or renew year after year with your existing provider without searching for better options, you may be able to bring down your insurance bill.
Firstly, make sure you scour the market for the best deals. You could use a price comparison site or enlist the services of a specialist broker.
For example, if you go to Chill for car insurance, the broker will search up to 14 cover providers to help find you the most competitive offer. You may also be able to bring your insurance costs down by increasing your vehicle security, raising your voluntary excess and forgoing policy add-ons like breakdown cover.
2) Drive more efficiently
Your driving style can have a big impact on your motoring bills too.
Did you know that driving at 60mph uses up to nine per cent less fuel than driving at 70mph? Changing up a gear when you hit 2,000 revs on a diesel engine or 2,500 revs on a petrol engine can also increase your efficiency.
Think twice before turning on your air conditioning as well. Using these systems excessively can up your fuel bills by up to 11 per cent. Another tip is to plan your routes carefully in advance to keep your mileage to a minimum.
3) Find the best places for fuel
It also helps to pay attention to the where you fill your car up. You can use comparison sites to find the best deals on petrol and diesel in your area.
Another way to save money is to take advantage of supermarket deals. Often, these chains provide money-off vouchers if you spend over a certain amount in-store. Whatever you do, try to avoid filling your vehicle on motorways. Service stations are among the most expensive places for fuel.
4) Take the time to check your tyres pressure
Especially when you’re busy, you might struggle to find the time to check your car’s tyres pressure. However, it’s worth taking a few minutes to do this at least once a month, or before long journeys.
According to the RAC, you can lower fuel consumption by up to two per cent if you maintain the correct pressure. It’s also safer to drive when your tyres are pumped up to the appropriate level.
5) Consider car sharing
You might be able to bring your bills down by entering into car sharing schemes. Perhaps you could come to an arrangement with colleagues who travel on similar routes to work to share out the driving. Especially if you have a long commute, this may help you to slash your spending.
Running a car inevitably comes with certain costs, but following suggestions like these can help to lighten the financial load.
