Last week on Wallet Watcher, we looked at how to save hundreds of pounds a year by using rail and bus travel wisely. Terrific, you may say. But I am unwilling to pick up the kids from school or do my Tesco shopping on the train. Tell me how to save money on motoring.
Before we even get to insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and the rest, there is a huge amount you can do to save money on fuel, just by adjusting the way you drive.
Think about this statistic. Driving in fifth gear rather than third can cut your fuel consumption by a quarter. There is a right way to do this of course, and it doesn’t involve trying to pull away in fifth.
The National Energy Foundation says that you should change up a gear when you hit 2500rpm in a petrol car and 2000 in a diesel. Cutting your speed from 85mph to 70mph on the motorway will save you a litre of fuel every 20 minutes.
Also consider this, by driving safely within the speed limits, you’ll not only save money on petrol but on the inevitable speeding fines you will rack up. And if that doesn’t sway you, think about the planet. The RAC reckons that simply driving more gently could save Britons £2.2bn and prevent 5m tons of C02 entering the atmosphere each year.
What does driving smoothly mean? It doesn’t mean accelerating between the speed bumps and hitting the brakes as you approach them … a practice I’ve NEVER understood. Accelerate gently, let the weight of the car help you to slow down. In cold weather you don’t need to warm the car up for five minutes before you drive off … modern cars have automatic chokes and should spring straight into action.
Blow up your tires. Think about how hard it is to pedal a bike with poorly inflated tires. Now consider the extra work your engine is having to do to push your half ton of metal around town with under pressure tires. You don’t just burn more fuel, the tires will wear out quicker … more hassle, more expense.
Empty the boot. Your engine is having to work harder to pull the golf clubs and kids bikes that are littering up the storage space. And why are you still carrying the bike rack and storage box on the car when you got back from holiday six weeks ago? Get them off and start saving on fuel.
We don’t get our cars serviced regularly because it’s expensive. False economy. Your poorly tuned engine is burning up excess fuel, and the dirty air filters aren’t helping either. And your car will live longer and hold its value better with regular servicing.
The trick is not to go to the Citroen or VW dealer who sold you the car though … they’ll charge you top dollar for each service. Try to find a reputable independent garage. Recommendations from friends or community websites are the best bet here. Ensure you get your handbook stamped with the service history, as this will help you get the best price when you eventually come to sell.
Bit stuffy in the car? Why not turn on the air con? No! Open the window instead, that’s what it’s for. Air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by up to 10% according to the Institute of Advance Motorists, and it’s not doing the planet much good either.
One thing you can’t legally avoid is car insurance, and one thing you shouldn’t is breakdown cover. The first time you’ve had an expensive tow from a callout garage you’ll wish you’d bought the latter. But you must shop around. Stick with the same insurer year after year and you WON’T be getting the best deal. It’s called customer inertia and retailers grow fat on it. There are great price comparison websites out there for insurance and breakdown cover … USE THEM.
When it’s time to replace the car, NEVER buy new, unless you get an unbeatable deal. Going nearly new is much cheaper, as new cars depreciate sharply as soon as they roll out of the showroom. Check out the cost of leasing rather than buying, and even consider rental cars services if you only use the car occasionally. Their rates start from just £3.95 an hour.
And lastly, get out of the car for a change. I find it hard to imagine living without a car altogether, but I do replace a lot of my journeys with cycling and walking (again, not recommended for the supermarket shop). You’ll save a lot of money on fuel and wear and tear, and you won’t have to pay a fortune for parking (or parking tickets). You could even buy a foldup bike, such as a Brompton, that goes in the back of your car.
Tags: Save money on motoring, Save money on motoring article, motoring, save money, fuel saving, driving, cars
