How to Save Money on Car Expenses

Owning a car is a costly necessity for most Americans. While the many expenses that accompany car ownership can not be avoided, they can be minimized. There are a wide variety of steps that you can take to save money on your car.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Save When Buying

1. Drive your car for five to seven years. One of the largest expenses associated with cars is found when buying a new vehicle. Driving your current car for a few more years can save you between hundreds to thousands of dollas every year.

2. Look for a small, fuel-efficient car when you do shop for a new vehicle. These cars will not only get better gas mileage, they will also probably be less expensive to insure. This can save you several hundred dollars every year.

3. Buy regular life and disability insurance through your insurance company instead of the insurance offered by your car dealer. These are most often overpriced and you may end up paying interest on it as well. Over time, this will save you several hundreds of dollars.

Save on Maintenance

4. Ask questions before you agree to any repairs. Inquire about the shop's labor rate and full price on parts and supplies. Consider looking for a second opinion, if you have any questions about the recommended work or price.

5. Find a mechanic before you need one. Ask for recommendations from friends and family members about trustworthy maintenance shops. Also make sure that the shop will honor your vehicle's extended warranty, if you have one.

6. Change your car's oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles and check its air filter every month. Keeping up with these routine chores can extend the life of your engine and improve your gas mileage. They will also save you thousands of dollars over the life of your car.

7. Use steel-belted radial tires to improve your car's gas efficiency and check the tire pressure regularly to ensure they are not under-inflated. This can save you hundreds of dollars every year.

8. Keep your fluid levels topped off. Low battery water, coolant, automatic transmission fluid, brake and clutch fluids may cause damage to your engine. Regularly performing this easy chore can save you up to several hundred dollars each year.

Save When Driving

9. Pump your own gas. Having your tank filled will always cost you more, so save money by filling the tank yourself.

10. Carpool to work to save even more money. Driving with only one other person will save you another couple hundred dollars a year. You will save money on gas and maintenance to your vehicle.

11. Speed up and slow down gently, drive steadily on the highway and, when possible, drive 50 mph instead of 70. Altogether, these gas-saving measures can add up to another several hundred dollars a year.

12. Combine your errands into one trip and plan your route to avoid backtracking when possible. Cutting that extra driving out of your routine can save you up to one hundred dollars a year.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time when buying a new car. Carefully examine all of your options and look for the best deal that suits your lifestyle and your budget.
• Avoid warming up your car by idling. Idling uses about one quart of gas every fifteen minutes. Save more money per year by warming up your car while you drive.