14 Tips to Help You Save Money on Car Ownership
Here are 14 tips that can save you a lot of money.
1. Use your local auto repair shop to save on the grind and unexpected self-maintenance. Dealerships are very expensive and often try to make repairs that are not immediately necessary.
2. Change your oil at least twice a year. Most car manufacturers recommend changing your oil every 7,500 miles, not every 3,000 miles as the quick lube store tag recommends. Typically, you’ll want to change your oil before the summer months and before the first snow falls.
3. Use synthetic oil over conventional car oil, you will get more mileage out of your car.
4. To buy new tires, first go online. You can save a lot of money by buying your tires online and having them shipped to your local garage.
5.Keep a good credit score. Many auto insurers apply your credit information into a formula to determine what your “insurance risk score” is. This score determines how likely you are to file a claim. The lower your credit score, the higher your premiums.
6. Some insurances give reduced rates for people in certain low-risk professions. Check with your insurer to see if your profession qualifies.
7. Cars over 5 years old that are not worth much more than $5,000 may not need collision or theft insurance. This could lower your monthly premium significantly.
8. Buying your auto insurance and home insurance in the same place can save you 10 percent or more with some insurers. Almost all insurers have multi-policy discounts.
9. If you drive less than a certain number of miles per year, you may qualify for a low mileage discount.
10. If you have a teen driver who has a B average or higher, you may qualify for an additional 10-20 percent discount on your insurance that includes the teen driver.
11. Many insurers will give you a discount on your premium if you take an approved defensive driving class in your area.
12. Don’t let the needle on the gas tank go empty. When your tank runs on gases, sediment builds up at the bottom of the fuel tank over time and can clog or damage parts.
13. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Properly inflated tires Not only will you save gas, but your tires will wear more evenly and be less likely to fail at high speeds.
14. Finally, make sure to tighten the gas cap. If you do not tighten the cap to the second click, the gas may evaporate. With the high cost of gasoline these days, who can afford to watch their money go up in smoke?
With the ever increasing cost of automobiles and the expense associated with maintaining those vehicles, who doesn’t need a few tips on how to save money with the responsibility of car ownership?