We all want to save money, and one area of life that always seems to be making our wallets lighter is that of our car.
Luckily, there are ways you can save fuel – and therefore money – just by changing the way you drive. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you save money in the future, both in terms of filling up your car, and of paying for repairs and covering up the wear and tear that can occur on the tyres, clutch, and other parts of the vehicle. Plus, they’ll help you to drive more safely; something which many motorists could stand to learn.
Change The Way You Drive
It may sound obvious, but the first rule is: stick to the speed limits. Driving slower makes your fuel go further, and for motorway or long-distance driving, try and maintain a steady speed as much as possible – this will not require much effort from your engine. The optimum speed for most cars (in terms of fuel efficiency) is 45-50mph. Don’t brake heavily and avoid accelerating quickly when it isn’t needed. Also, shift to a higher gear as soon as you can: all of these things help reduce fuel consumption, and both your car and your wallet will thank you for it. When bay parking, reverse into the bay if possible – if you drive into it forwards and then have to reverse out, it could use more fuel as you’ll be reversing while the engine is still cold.
Other Things To Consider While Driving
The temperature in your car can sometimes be hard to get right, and it could actually be affecting your fuel usage. Don’t immediately turn to the air con if your car gets a little hot; constantly using the AC means your car engine has to work harder. If you’re driving slowly, crack open a window, but beware – if you’re driving over 50mph, opening your window can actually add to your fuel usage due to the aerodynamic drag it will have on your car. If you’re stuck in a huge traffic jam or are waiting for someone at the kerb, turning your engine off can save you more than you might think. In terms of what you carry around in your car, less is more. If you’re storing things in your boot or on your back seats that you don’t need, take them out, and remove any roof racks if they’re not being used; excess weight of any kind can increase fuel consumption.
Looking After Your Car
There are several simple things you can do to keep care of your car which will help when you come to balance your budget. For one thing, regularly check your tyres, making sure they’re properly inflated – neither over nor under-inflated, but at their recommended pressure. Under-inflated tyres can lead to poor road holding, which could increase the fuel consumption. Ensure that your car is regularly serviced, and check the oil at regular intervals. Even basic things like keeping your windows clean can help: if they’re dirty, you’ll use more energy when you try and de-mist them with the AC or the heater.
Since the economy is not doing great, it makes sense that you should try to get your driving license for running a commercial vehicle otherwise you might find yourself in real trouble while driving in the middle of the road. But before you apply, you need to do CDL practice test online to get an idea.
If you follow just some of these tips, you’ll be saving money – and the environment – in no time. If you really want to go green and lower your costs, you can always consider car sharing in order to go to work or for other short journeys, and planning your route and working around traffic, road works, and congestion areas can also help to save both fuel and money.
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