Driving is one of the best feelings in the world. Being able to hit the open road and go wherever you like is a freedom that many take for granted. Unfortunately, driving is an extra expense when wallets are feeling a bit lighter.
Data from the Office of National Statistics show that the average UK driver is spending £2,500 per year on car costs which is a lot of money. Here are some tips to help you save a bit of money on driving.
Improve fuel efficiency
The way you drive directly impacts the efficiency of your fuel, meaning you could be spending more on filling up more often without needing to.
When out and about, try to drive as smoothly as possible and avoid harsh accelerating or braking. If stopping at traffic lights, for example, try to coast slowly forward rather than braking completely and starting again. This will help to maximise your fuel usage.
Regular vehicle maintenance
Car maintenance can be costly, especially if an issue goes unnoticed and gets into a bad state without being rectified. Although car services aren’t legally mandatory, they are important to keep your car running efficiently and safely.
Services often include filter and oil changes, which help with lowering fuel consumption. Tyre and brake checks also help your car run well, reducing the need for expensive repairs or legal issues later down the line. By reducing your chances of breakdowns and accidents, you will also find that your car insurance premiums are lower, saving you money each year.
Use price comparison tools for fuel
As a general rule, fuel purchased from supermarkets tends to be the cheapest around, but it is still worth checking.
Comparison sites can be used for any service or purchase, even fuel prices. By checking to find the cheapest prices near you, you can plan before you leave and save money. Although it won’t be much each time, it will quickly add up over the year.
AA members have access to an exclusive app to help with this. For people with other policies, Go Compare has a useful comparison tool, as does Confused.com.
Plan your journeys
A well-planned journey can help you to avoid roadworks, detours and unnecessary stops, all of which waste fuel. Use a sat-nav or online map app which receives real-time information about accidents, roadworks and traffic. Your planner should then formulate your route to avoid them.
Planning places to park is also a way to save a small amount of money. Research before you leave the cheapest car parks or any free parking. You could also check to see when they get filled up so you can try and time your arrival early enough to get a space.
Car sharing and public transport
If driving is a huge expense in your life, why not try and utilise your local public transport network? Even though you still have to pay for tickets on buses and trains, it may work out cheaper and fuelling up and parking.
Carpooling is also an option where you share a car and contribute to fuel costs. Again, this will lessen your financial responsibility, saving you some cash. Your workplace may have a carpooling scheme which you can take advantage of.
