Did you know that car ownership and keeping your car running can be the second most expensive thing in your total budget?
Learn how to save on car payments, car repairs and car care.
Save Money on Car Payments
Don’t ever buy a new vehicle. The moment you make your first payment, the reduction in value begins and picks up with speed as soon as you drive your first mile. If you drove it back to the dealer a day later they would offer you at least 15% less than you paid just to take it back, if you could even manage the deal.
Buy a used vehicle having first ensured that you have completed enough research to know whether the model you want to purchase is within your budget and what the industry calls the best price. You must be prepared to bargain hard even if this means walking away from a deal. Have an expert check over the vehicle to ensure it won’t cost you a fortune in repair bills in the near future. A three year old vehicle is a good purchase as it has most likely been serviced by the dealer.
This is the same for insurance, if you need 4×4 car insurance for your huge Jeep or Hummer it’s bound to cost more than that for an entry level Ford or GM model so this is something should also keep in mind when making your decision to buy.
If you are in a committed relationship, think about how you can conveniently run your lives with just one vehicle between you.
Save Money on Car Care
How much does your local drive-thru car wash facility cost you every week? Multiply that figure by your two vehicles (if you haven’t sold one already) and then by the fifty times you will have it cleaned by a machine that scratches the paint and covers it with strong chemicals to enable a quick clean. Clean it yourself and you will also be treating yourself to a short cardio exercise routine. If you have young children, they will love the chance to play the game of vehicle cleaning even if they end up soaked through with water. You will all benefit from better health and spending family time together. A dirty vehicle can suffer paint damage, particularly from any bird droppings which quickly eat through paint.
Remove anything from the car that means you are carrying excess weight, however small it is. Your vehicle will achieve a better miles per gallon ratio with a lighter load and your engine will have less to pull which means it will live to fight another day.
Use your accelerator in a steady and smooth manner. This will keep more gas in your tank and allow your engine to function for longer. The sooner you are in a high gear the better; your engine will work best and most efficiently for you.
The best form of air conditioning involves winding down your windows to a level that balances the right temperature without intruding too much drag into the vehicle, which reduces miles per gallon.
How many times have you made a journey where you could have walked? Driving across parking spaces surrounding the largest of malls could add to your gas bill. Instead, you could add a healthy walk to your exercise regimen. Could you use public transportion or ride a bike, carpool or walk?
Save Money on Car Repairs
If you are able to brake smoothly instead of hammering the brakes your brake pads will last much longer and the overall smooth running of your vehicle will lead to lower service and replacement costs. Your clutch and brake pedals could do with less work from your feet. If you rest on the pedals you will wear them out.
Maintain your tires at the correct pressure. This will add miles to the life of your tires and miles per gallon to your gas tank.
If you rotate your tires on a regular basis, they will each receive the same wear. Instead of constantly replacing your front tires, your full set will last much longer.
If you keep the tires in good alignment, your tires will last much longer and your car will suffer less stress.
Just adopting these few simple ideas can save your vehicle from draining your bank account, and you'll have more money to spend on decorating!
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written by: Izzy Woods
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Image courtesy of: supakitmod / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
