Saving Money On Car Travels
Ashish Kumar February 12, 2015Have you ever wondered how much money you could save if you altered your driving habits?
If you tend to spend a lot of time commuting, or just happen to travel a lot by car, you should know that there’s a high possibility you are wasting your money on one or more fronts. Many people are not even aware of it. However, there are always ways to work around a problem and no matter how insignificant you think the changes might be, even small adjustments can bring about long-term savings if you employ them regularly. So, with gas prices about to rise again, here are a few tips on how to save money while driving.
Driving Style
First and foremost, adjust your driving style. You’ve probably seen the ‘burnout show-offs’, or wild drivers, always trying to impress others by their vehicles. Those who drive most loudly and irresponsibly are not only putting themselves and others in danger, but they are also burning way more fuel and consequently, wasting more money. Don’t be that driver. Driving in a more relaxed fashion perhaps sounds less fun, but it is cost-effective.
Lower RPM – Higher Savings
Start short shifting and you’ll see the results on your bank account. Switch gears at lower RPM’s and you will not only prolong the life of your engine but also save a pretty penny. The same goes for abusing the brakes – not only will it lead you to danger on a wet road, but it will also waste your money. Therefore, keep a distance between the car in front of you, so you don’t have to stop and accelerate unexpectedly.
Enjoy The Breeze
It is a well-known fact that the A/C system increases fuel consumption. Unless you’re driving in the heat of the summer temperatures, you can live without it. Roll down the windows and enjoy the breeze. If you need to use it, set it to a moderate temperature. Big gaps between outside and inside temperatures and going in and out of the vehicle in those conditions is not healthy, keep that in mind.
Plan Your Purchases and Maintenance
Regular maintenance is important. Visit your mechanic, check all the systems, change the oil and make sure to keep your tyres properly inflated and at optimum health. Driving on heavily degraded tyres is as inefficient as it is dangerous, so you should make sure they are in a good condition. Consider getting new tyres online, this will also save you a couple of extra bucks.
Carpooling
Another thing you can do is to carpool – find a group of friends or coworkers and travel together in one car instead of three or four. You will each reduce your cost by 75-80% and you can make a rotation in order to avoid one person driving all the time so everybody gets a fair deal. There are also many websites which promote this concept of sharing a ride. Pick somebody up and share the costs.
So there you have it. A few really simple ways you can save money and also extend the life of your vehicle. By applying these guidelines you will not only save money but also behave in an eco-friendly way.
