There are many ways you can bring down the costs of owning and running a car, which also improve the safety of your vehicle.
Your car insurer or breakdown cover provider may have advice on their websites to help you, but here are some ideas:
- Cars are at their least efficient when they are cold. If you drive quickly straight from start-up, you are redoubling the wasted fuel, and also wearing out the engine more quickly in the process.
- Empty the boot and remove the roof rack when it’s not in use. Every 50kg of weight in the vehicle increases fuel consumption by 2%, and it can be increased by up to 10% by the drag from the roof bars.
- Checking your tyre pressures is a top safety tip, but it can also save you money. An under-inflation of just 15psi (which you most likely wouldn’t be able to see) can lead to 6% more fuel being used.
- Make sure you buy the right tyres at the right time. There’s lots of advice and guidance at tyresafe.org
- Every year, some 1.5 million cars fail their MOTs because of simple faults. Reduce the risk of that happening to you by checking your washer fluid bottle, windscreen wipers, lightbulbs and tyre tread ahead of time –all things which help your safety on the road too.
- Use a petrol price app or website to compare the cost of fuel locally; it pays to shop around, and sometimes you can fill up for significantly less than your usual fuel stop!
- There are also apps and websites that compare the prices of public car parks, so you can plan ahead of your journey. Double check on any restrictions to save yourself the cost of a fine!
- Make sure you are ready for winter driving by taking a look at our checklist.