Owning a car can be expensive, with costs mounting up that you haven’t budgeted for and unexpected issues taking you by surprise when you least expect them to. The annual outlay of driving a 4-wheeler can easily run into the £1,000s. Even if you have a small car, MOTs, insurance, breakdown insurance, fuel and parking can burn a sizeable hole in your wallet. That said, it is still possible to save on all of these costs, and we’re here to help you.
As we all know, getting your vehicle serviced annually and maintaining it between service intervals is money pragmatically spent. Its far better to detect problems early on and prevent them when they are inexpensive to fix, than wait for a more serious issue later down the line. A longer life means a higher re-sale value, which none of us would say no to. Moreover, a well-maintained automobile is also more fuel efficient and this efficiency saves money. With this in mind, here are 5 IDEAL tips on how to save money on car maintenance.
WATCH OUT FOR DASHBOARD MESSAGES
The majority of cars today have dashboard warning messages about a broad range of aspects, including issues with the engine, braking system, oil, coolant levels and tire pressure. This is where your automobile’s owner’s manual will detail what each warning message entails and what action you need to take.
A couple of the messages are crucial and require you to pull over and immediately stop the engine. Therefore, ignore such warning messages at your own peril because paying them due attention will save you sizeable repair costs.
CHANGE YOUR DRIVING HABITS
It is possible to ride the same distance in the same time using less fuel and without cutting your top speed. In the long run, you could save up to 30% on diesel or petrol costs.
The harder you will press the pedal, the quicker the fuel will evaporate. Try to achieve the same speed using less power, roughly speaking, stay under 3,000 revs. Furthermore, always drive in the correct gear. This is because not driving in the highest possible gear taxes the engine. Try to slow the vehicle down naturally instead of using brakes frequently.
Remember, your accelerator is a money spinner and your brake a cash burner. The harder you push, the quicker money is burnt.
OIL LEVELS
Oil is critical for your car’s smooth functionality, lessening the friction which erodes away the engine and moving parts. Therefore, once a month make sure to check your vehicle’s oil level by using the dipstick under the bonnet. Moreover, top it up if required by using the correct grade for your car, while ensuring not to overfill the engine.
PREP YOUR 4-WHEELER FOR WINTER
Breakdowns are more common in winter, so it is worth being prepared. Firstly, buy a screen-scraper and anti-freeze. It’s also important to check your lights regularly to ensure they function correctly, as you don’t want to be caught out in the dark. Remember to check your tire treads – the AA commends a tire tread of minimum 3mm for winter driving. Next, prevent sticky doors with a lean coat of polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. Always check to ensure that you’re stocked up with essentials – spare batteries and a torch, first aid kit, mobile phone charger, warm blanket, road atlas, shovel, as well as jump start cables should be the minimum you carry with you.
Finally, irrespective of how old or new your battery is, always keep a spare as the word backup is music to your ears when you are stuck in the middle of nowhere on a stormy night. If you’re looking for quality but affordable batteries, take a look at these Yuasa batteries from Hardwarexpress which have a long service life and will be able to get you through winter, no fuss.
DO NOT BUY PREMIUM FUEL FOR A STANDARD CAR
The majority of petrol stations offer high-performance fuels, yet there is little to no performance difference for most standard vehicles. Therefore, save money by avoiding super fancy fuels, unless you have a sports car which mandates using these performance fuels. If you really can’t say no, then use a super performance fuel every 3rd or 4th tank full to keep the engine efficient and clean.
