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How to reduce car costs

Our vehicles are an essential part of our lives—but they can also be expensive. While many of us use cars to get to and from places, others have vehicles that are integral to their roles at work. However you use yours, we all have the same aim of keeping the cost of running and maintaining a car low.

Want to make sure your vehicle stays in the best condition as possible? That doesn’t mean that you have to invest a lot of cash in it each year to keep it running in tip-top condition. Here are just some of the ways in which you can look after your car while reducing running costs.

Check your tire pressures regularly

Many newer vehicle models have computerized gauges, which let you know if your tire pressure falls below a safe level with a dashboard alert. Making sure your tire pressures are adequate will boost the life of your tires by at least 30%, as well as improving your gas mileage. It can also go towards preventing issues with alignment and balancing.

Do your own service work

You could think about doing some basic routine service work and repairs yourself if you have an older vehicle. There will be some where it’s easy to change the oil or brake pads, and will be only a fraction of the cost. However, there will be some models where this work could be challenging and need special tools, so the costs may outweigh the savings if you’re not sure what you’re doing.

Keep it in a garage for lower insurance rates

Many insurance agencies will offer you a lower premium if you regularly park your vehicle in a locked garage. Not only that, but you’ll reduce the chance of it being vandalized or stolen (or have your belongings stolen from it).

Keep it covered to avoid damage

It’s not a nice feeling when you realize there’s a horrible hailstorm outside and you can’t do anything about your vehicle getting damaged. A windstorm can also lead to debris creating dings, dents, and chips in your paint, so keeping your vehicle covered will help in the fight against Mother Nature.

You can get replacement cover kits if yours needs to be renewed. There are many options from which you can choose—such as height, width, length, shape, and even color.

Check your aerodynamics

This might seem like a simple task, but some people may not know that you’ll create strong wind resistance by having the windows open when you’re driving. It also means your engine has to burn more gas so that it can overcome the increase in forward-moving resistance. Keeping drag and air resistance low will improve fuel efficiency, therefore saving you more money. 

Use OEM spares

OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are sometimes known as third-party spares, and are normally lower in price than original spares. You can easily order them online, and parts can range from headlight units, to mirrors, to axles. Make sure you buy these through a reputable seller or a workshop.

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