Saving Money

Cutting Car Costs

Fuel

With gas prices rising, it has become more important than ever to save energy (and money). Here’s how:

Check Tires: Properly inflated tires do make a difference in gas mileage. Check yours at least once a month when they are cold. Fill them to the figure recommended by the manufacturer, not the figure printed on the tire itself (which is usually the maximum tire pressure, not the recommended one.)

Make the Grade: Check the grade of gasoline recommended for your vehicle and stick with it. Using premium gasoline when your vehicle doesn’t need it is like burning money.

Lighten the Load: The lighter your vehicle, the better your gas mileage will be. If you’re using your trunk as an extra closet, get rid of the junk – maybe even have a garage sale!

Don’t Go Too Low: Driving your car until it’s empty before you refill means your car frequently has to use the dirtiest gasoline, which can lead to poor performance and even engine damage. Fill up long before the gasoline warning light comes on.

Slow Down: Coast to a stop as much as possible. Sudden stops not only wear the brakes faster, but can use up more fuel as well. On the highway, keep in mind that faster speeds use more gas.

Keep Cool: Running the air conditioner on the highway can save fuel, because it puts less drag on the vehicle than keeping the windows open. For a local run around town, though, rolling down the windows and turning off the a/c will usually be the cheaper choice. And forget about “warming up the engine.” It’s a waste of fuel and money.

Shop Wisely: Driving across town to get the cheapest gas may or may not save you money. To find out where the cheap gas is locally, visit www.gasbuddy.com. Then calculate the benefit of driving to the cheaper station at http://www.bankrate.com/dls/calc/gasPrice.asp

Repairs and Maintenance

Force Yourself To Save: When you make your car payment each month, put $20 – or whatever you can afford – into a savings account for repairs and maintenance. When you pay off your car, continue to make the same monthly car payment you were making to the lender – but put it into a savings account for repairs. Ultimately, you may decide to use it for a down payment on a new vehicle.

Stay on Schedule: Regular oil changes, a clean air filter, changing the antifreeze every year or two, and other regular maintenance will make your car run more efficiently and last longer with fewer repairs. Find a good mechanic and stick with a schedule for routine maintenance.

Get Good Help: According to research by Consumer Reports, the cost for service and repairs can vary a great deal among dealerships and independent repair shops. Ask for recommendations from friends and relatives, make a few calls to compare prices, and check out complaints with the Better Business Bureau (visit www.bbb.org).