In these tough times, saving money is the first choice for many people. Buying and maintaining a car has become a very costly affair. With the rise in inflation and fuel prices, it is becoming harder and harder to make ends meet. Here are some simple tips which will help you save money on your car:

1. Car share: All the guys staying in share accommodation or house share can share a car to work or college. By sharing, you all house share guys can not only save money on petrol, but can also save on maintenance and wear and tear of the car.
2. Before buying a new car, visit several dealers for price quotes. Compare and find the best basic price and try to finalise a special package or deal if you can. The same principle works for getting the insurance done. This way you can save several hundred dollars on your insurance premium and car payments.
3. If you are planning to buy a new car, consider smaller models. As smaller models of cars are normally cheaper, their insurance is cheaper, are lighter and usually gives better mileage than bigger cars.
4. Remove excess weight: Reduce any excess luggage that is lying in your car and is increasing the weight of the car. Gas mileage decreases with the increase in the weight of the car…by lightening your car, your tire drag is reduced and you will burn lesser fuel. Therefore keep your car trunk empty and save fuel.
5. Install your ski-rack only when required: If your like most house share people you rarely require the ski-rack, install it only when required. It produces drag and increases the fuel consumption.
6. Keep your Car Tuned: You should keep your car rightly tuned. This is because a properly tuned car will give you its best fuel economy. Proper tuning increases the engine’s life and requires less maintenance.
7. Keep the tires well-inflated and clean your car’s air filter monthly: By keeping your tires well-inflated you not only save money on fuel but it increases the life of your tires and is safer particularly on wet roads or in case of an emergency braking. An unclean filter shortens the engine’s life and lessens the mileage - in turn making you go to the service station more often.
8. Drive smoothly: You can save money on car fuel by driving smoothly. If you live in a big city like Birmingham or Melbourne, no doubt driving smooth is not possible due to traffic and traffic lights, but you can slow your car down and then stop it eventually. Abruptly braking a car just after accelerating will cost you more fuel.
9. Don’t drive too fast or too slow: Each and every vehicle has a speed at which it is most economical or fuel efficient. If you drive at a higher or lower speed, fuel efficiency of the vehicle decreases and it will consume more fuel.
10. Don’t Warm Up: The best way to warm up your car is by driving it, as engines warm up quicker when driving than it does when idling. All modern designed engines are efficient and they require no warm up.
11. Use the right fuel for your car: Use the petrol as per your owner’s manual recommendations.  For the majority of cars, premium fuel offers no benefit. Make use of high-octane gas only if your car has a high-performance engine and your manual recommends a high-octane fuel.

Following these simple tips, every house share can save big money on your car expenses. The more seriously you follow these cost-saving measures, the more money you’ll save.  In our next post we’ll cover tips on how we can save money on energy bills.