Owning a car is expensive and gas prices have increased. You must pay for insurance, gas, maintenance and then unexpected costs like repairs or accidents. So, I’m always looking for ways to save money to defray some of the costs. The good news is you can save thousands of dollars a year just by following some of these cost-cutting tips.
 DIY Car Repairs
These days you can look up YouTube videos for almost any type of car repair or maintenance and some are easy enough for almost anyone to do-it-yourself. Recently I changed an air filter and used a generic one instead of the factory one and saved almost $100 for less than five minutes of my time.
Close Windows
When you are driving on the highway open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
Oil Change by Car Manual
When you get an oil change most places place a sticker on your car stating you need to change your oil every 3,000 miles however if you check your car manual you will find most recommend every 6,000 miles which would save you at least 2 oil changes a year or more which is a savings of $40-$60. Make sure to check your manual for the suggested miles for changing the oil.
Drive the Speed Limit
Getting a speeding ticket or in a car accident will cost a lot of money and increase your car insurance for a number of years (in Massachusetts you will be paying a higher cost for 7 years). Speeding also uses more gas.
Get Adequate Insurance
Insurance is expensive but cutting corners can cost you in the long run. Make sure you have enough coverage for your car, home, medical, life, etc. I recently read a story about a woman who thought she had adequate coverage but didn’t and almost ended up homeless.
Use Electronic Toll Transponder
If you use a toll transponder like E-ZPass you will save money, time and gas. Some tolls offer discounts for using the pass and you will not have to worry about finding the right amount of money. Even if you don’t travel much you can keep the transponder in your car for when you need it. Most programs are free. And now that some roads got rid of tolls, you could be charged a fee if you don’t have a transponder.
Buy Home & Auto Insurance Together
If you purchase your home and auto insurance from the same company, you often will receive a 10-15% discount.
Increase Insurance Deductible
By increasing your insurance deductibles, you can save as much as 15% per year on your insurance costs.
Ask Insurance Company for Loyalty Discounts
If you have been with the same insurance company for your home and/or car for more than 6 years, ask for a loyalty discount of 10%.
Never Let Gas Tank Go Below ¼ Tank
By keeping your gas tank full, your fuel pump will work efficiently, and you will prevent it from breaking (which will cost you $600 or more to replace). Also, you will be less likely to run out of gas if you make a habit of filling your tank at ¼ tank.Â
Use Cruise Control
My husband uses cruise control every chance he gets. It helps him to maintain the speed limit which will prevent getting expensive tickets and maintaining the same speed uses less gas.
Car Part Stores Diagnose Problems for Free
If your car is experiencing problems then you can take it to a car parts store such as AutoZone to possibly diagnose the problem for free. Even if you need to take the car to get it repaired, knowing what the issue is you can look up the cost before going to a mechanic to make sure they are charging an appropriate fee.
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13. Negotiate Car Repairs
If your car needs to be fixed by a mechanic, first diagnose the problem for free by taking your car to an auto parts store. Ask the store how much the parts would cost to repair the issue. Call at least three different reputable repair shops and ask for a quote over the phone. If a quote is high, state the price of the part and ask why they are charging the amount.
Negotiate When Purchasing a CarÂ
Even though a lot of people don’t like negotiating, it’s definitely worth it. You can save thousands of dollars by negotiating to purchase a car.Â
Don’t Idle When Waiting
When you leave your car running you are using the gas and also adding fumes to the air. When you idle for ten minutes that is the equivalent of driving five miles.
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Shop Around For The Best Gas Price
Gas prices can vary as much as 10-20 cents per gallon just by driving to the next gas station. If you don’t want to waste your gas searching for the best price you can use an app called Gas Buddy to find the lowest gas price in your area. By saving 10-20 cents a gallon over a year you will save $100-$200 if you have a 20-gallon tank and fill up once a week.Â
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Check Your Tire Pressure
Make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure for your car which can be found in the manual. By doing so you will save over $100 per year on gas mileage.Â
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Use The A/C Sparingly
When you use the a/c in your car it uses up a lot of gas. Try to drive with the windows open and park in shaded areas when possible.
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Use Credit Cards To Earn Bonus
Some credit cards offer bonus points when purchasing gas. By using these types of credit cards to purchase gas you could earn extra money or rewards.
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Use Rewards To Get Discounted Gas
Some grocery stores offer rewards programs that enable you to receive discounted gas when you purchase items in the store. You can also earn bonus points for purchasing select items. Sometimes I’m able to save $1.50 per gallon which is a $30 savings on a 20-gallon tank for purchasing items I planned to buy anyway.
Bio: Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, Washington Post, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05
