Good With Money

The best and easiest way to save money on motoring is by selling your car. Yes it is a radical idea and for many it may be a step too far. But, if you can do without it, if really is an unnecessary expense.

These days there is a bus stop near or at least within a short walk of most homes. If that is the case, and you are comfortably able to walk to it, than you should think about selling the car. When you add up the cost of buying the car, petrol/diesel, insurance and general maintenance you will very likely discover that public transport is far cheaper.

Of course if you have regular and unusual journeys or trips that public transport can not easily cater far or if public transport is unreliable where you live, than you may justify having a car. They are also very useful for the disables and family transport etc. I accept that they are very useful and I do have an old banger myself, but they are not always necessary. People sometimes have one because they once needed one and just kept replacing it or because everyone they know has one so they thought they better get one. There are many reasons why people who do not need a car have one.

If you do have a car and need it, how do you economise?

• Don’t buy a new car. A new car loses thousands in value as soon as it leaves the showroom. A nearly new used care is just as good and far cheaper. Never pay the asking price. Ask for extras to be thrown in e.g. full tank of fuel, new tyres a better radio etc. I do not consider an up to date MOT or a tax disc to be extras.
  Ask if there is a discount for cash. If there is not, do not pay by cash.
• Buy a low energy car. Either one of those new hybrid cars that use fuel and battery power or a very fuel efficient one.
• If you do not work on a farm of jungle you do not need a Jeep. Buy as small a car as you can get by with.
• Service it regularly. Serviced cars are more fuel efficient and less prone to breakdowns. Also make sure that your tyres are at the correct pressure for your model of car. Lower pressure increases their consumption of fuel and higher pressure reduces their grip on the road. If you have a new car, get your car inspected at an authorised garage before its warranty expires – this will highlight any faults, and get them repaired for free if they fall under its terms.
• Shop around for the best price when refilling the fuel tank. The prices vary from station to station and area to area. Do the same when getting your car serviced and make sure that you get a properly qualified mechanic to do it for you.
• Drive slower. The faster you drive the more fuel you use per mile/km. Just leave a few minutes earlier and there will not be a problem. Also, you may find that it reduced the stress of driving when you are not racing around and competing with other drivers. Also, accelerate to your cruising speed at an easy and moderate rate. The faster you accelerate the more fuel you use. Just imagine that you are cycling a bike and you will see the difference in fuel consumption between a fast acceleration and a moderate one. On a short journey you will not get there much more quickly by accelerating quickly and wasting fuel.
• Plan ahead. If you are going on a long journey, ask friends for advice. You need to choose the best route. If you do not you may find yourself in a huge traffic jam or even get yourself lost. You need to know exactly where you are going and how you are going to get there. If you can get a sat-nav. A great investment if you do a lot of driving.
• Drive with your windows and sunroof closed. Opening any or them will increase wind resistance and make your car work harder to maintain the speed you ask for. This increases fuel consumption. That goes for the roof rack or any other attachments that did not come from the factory with the car. The more streamlined the care is the less fuel it uses.
• Car Pool. Where possible share routine trips like the school run or going to work etc. It is cheaper for all concerned and better for the environment not to mention that there will be much fewer cars on the road and that is better for everyone.
• Keep your car clean. A clean car is more fuel efficient since it is more aerodynamic. The rough edges of the dirt on the body can increase your fuel consumption. A regular wash will make the car look its best and save you money too.
• If you have an air conditioner or other extras on board, turn them off when not needed as they increase fuel consumption.

I look forward to hearing any other ideas that our readers have.

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