As you’re likely well aware, there is a definite financial commitment to owning a car. In addition to making monthly car payments, you also have to be mindful of ongoing maintenance and fuel costs.
Of course, you have to spend some amount of money to keep your car going, but you also don’t want to waste your hard-earned dollars on unnecessary expenses.
Fortunately, there are a number of tips and tricks you can try that will help your car be as efficient as possible and save you money in the long run. Check out the following ideas:
1. Know When to Open Your Wallet
When it comes to boosting your car’s efficiency, you definitely don’t want to be “penny wise and pound foolish.” In other words, while you may be tempted to buy the cheapest parts for your vehicle, this may end up costing you more in the long run. For example, if you purchase four used tires off Craigslist, your initial expense may be low. Then again, the tires may wear out in a few months and you’ll be back where you started.
Instead, it’s wise to look at important features like tires as an investment and to spend a bit more on them up front. Ultimately, buying quality, dependable tires typically means they’ll last for tens of thousands of miles. For example, Firestone tires, which are available from online retailers like TireBuyer.com, are a reputable and reliable brand.
While these tires may cost a bit more than what’s sold on Craigslist, there are still plenty of budget-friendly options made by Firestone, including their all-season tires that — you guessed it — are ideal for driving year round.
2. Properly Maintain Your Ride
Once you have quality tires on your vehicle, keeping them and the rest of your car well maintained will also help it be more efficient. According to esurance.com, tires that are properly aligned and inflated allow vehicles to get a 3 percent increase in gas mileage, or an average of 11 cents savings per gallon.
Additionally, a properly-tuned engine will lead to a 4 percent increase in gas mileage, or an average of 15 cents savings per gallon, while using the correct type of motor oil can net you a savings of 4 to 8 cents per gallon.
If you have a long commute and/or use your car for work, these savings will really add up, so be sure to follow the recommended car maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual and ensure those new tires of yours are properly inflated.
3. Don’t be a Lead Foot
Following the posted speed limit will benefit you more than being pulled over. In fact, the fuel economy of your vehicle will start to drop off considerably once you hit speeds of 50 to 55 mph. In other words, avoid being a speed demon. You’ll also want to skip the jackrabbit starts at green lights and instead opt for a smoother and more gas-friendly acceleration.
Additionally, rather than taking your morning coffee run and then hitting the road again later in the day to go to the grocery store, gas station and bank, try to combine all of your errands into one outing, so you can avoid making numerous round trips that eat up a ton of gas.
Your Car Shouldn’t be a Money Pit
By investing in quality, name-brand tires and keeping your vehicle well maintained, you should expect to see the amount of money you spend on your car to drop significantly. Add in gas-saving strategies like slow and steady acceleration and being smart about making fewer routine trips in your vehicle and you’ll be pleased to see that owning a car can be fun — and not an ongoing massive expense.