How to reduce the running cost of your vehicle
Your vehicle could be your pride and joy, but it can cost a lot of money to run. From the high fuel prices to unexpected trips to the garage, there’s a lot you may have to pay to keep your car moving, which can be tough on your finances – especially while navigating a cost of living crisis.
If you’re concerned about how much you spend on your vehicle and want to cut down your spending in 2024, we have some useful tips for you to follow. Some of these don’t cost anything and some require a small amount of money but that will prove to be a wise investment with the cost-saving benefits they bring.
Continue reading our guide below to reduce the running cost of your vehicle and have more money to spend on other areas of your life.
Driving habits
Driving habits are essential when it comes to reducing the running costs of your car. If you drive well, you’ll be able to improve your fuel efficiency and reduce the chances of anything breaking in your car too.
Some of the easiest ways to improve your fuel efficiency and reduce damage to your car include:
- Avoid harsh starting and stopping
- Avoid riding the clutch
- Keep tyres pumped up to the right pressure
- Avoid driving with heavy carloads
- Don’t corner at high speeds
- Plan your journey to reduce the amount of time you’re stuck in traffic
Ensure your engine has enough oil
Your oil is essential for smooth engine operation, so you must assess how full it is frequently. To do this, you’ll simply pull the dipstick out of the engine hole, wipe it, put it back in the hole then pull it out and see if the oil is at the recommended level.
If you’re running low on oil, fear not! You can typically pick up oil at a petrol station or motoring store at low prices and refill it yourself.
Self-maintenance
Sometimes smaller issues can become large, expensive ones if they’re not dealt with swiftly. Fortunately, you can do quite a lot of maintenance yourself to ensure your car is running properly when you drive. For example, you can use a trolley jack to lift your car to change your tyre or inspect the undercarriage of the vehicle.
Get your car serviced annually
Although servicing your car can be expensive, it’ll give you peace of mind that everything is as it should be. A professional can assess different parts of your car too and recommend any work that needs to be done before your next MOT. This should prevent your MOT from failing and you being without your car until it passes.