20 Ways to Cut Your Car Costs

The Canadian Automobile Association has a handy online calculator to help determine your car’s fixed, variable and environmental costs. This tool is especially useful if you’re shopping around for a new car, so you won’t buy more than you can afford.

Regular maintenance will make your car run better and last longer. Loans Canada suggests that you do smaller, simpler repairs at home. Simply go through your car’s owner’s manual and follow the instructions.

Contaminated engine oil can damage your car and lead to bigger, more expensive problems. Driving says that while car manufacturers will tell you that you don’t need to change the oil that often, having it done twice a year or every 5,000 to 7,500 km is a cheap form of insurance.

According to Driving, mechanics and auto repair shops often offer special deals that include an inspection and a tire and oil change, all in one go. Not only is this cheaper, it also has the added advantage that the pros can spot potential problems before they become major issues.

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Cars.com says that antifreeze becomes more acidic over time and can cause corrosion, which in turn damages your car’s cooling system. You can have your antifreeze tested or change the antifreeze every 50,000 km or so, depending on what type of car you have.

A good mechanic is one who’ll be honest about what you need and don’t need, won’t take advantage of your lack of knowledge and won’t botch repair jobs. Loans Canada suggests that you ask for recommendations and try and find a mechanic as close to home as possible to save on towing costs.

Another tip from Loans Canada is to put a bit of money into a car repair fund every month. This way you’ll have the money for repairs when they’re needed rather than waiting until the problem becomes more serious.

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Maintaining the right tire pressure will make your tires last longer, reduce the risk of blowouts and increase your car’s fuel efficiency. Goodyear Tires Canada suggests that you check the tire pressure once a month and before going on a long trip.

Damaged tires are more likely to have blowouts which could lead to accidents. According to Goodyear Tires Canada, you should check your tires regularly for uneven treading, cracks, cuts, bulges and foreign objects. Do this once a month and before a big trip.

Loans Canada says an unclogged air filter can increase your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 per cent. Check your owner’s manual to see how often you need to replace the air filter.

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For every 45.5 kg of weight in your car, your gas mileage is reduced by between 1 and 2 per cent, according to Goodyear Tires Canada. Remove all the junk you’ve been driving around and only keep necessities in the trunk.

According to Natural Resources Canada, aerodynamic drag caused by your car’s roof and bicycle racks can increase fuel consumption by 20 per cent. Remove the racks and only install them when you’re going to need them for that weekend getaway.

Your car’s air conditioning can increase fuel consumption by 20 per cent, according to Natural Resources Canada. On the highway, close the windows and use the car’s flow-through ventilation system instead. In urban areas, open the windows.

Natural Resources Canada says that for every 10 minutes it idles, the average car with a three-litre engine wastes 300 ml of fuel. Unless you’re in traffic, turn off the engine if you’re stopping for more than a minute.

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Driving too fast not only increases your risk of accidents but also costs you more money in fuel. Natural Resources Canada says that driving at 120 km/h uses 20 per cent more fuel than driving at 100 km/h.

The way you drive can affect your car’s fuel consumption. Driving techniques that can save you fuel, according to Natural Resources Canada, include accelerating gently, anticipating traffic, maintaining a steady speed and coasting to decelerate.

Driving says that the most common way to incur a hefty repair bill is to slide sideways into a solid object such as the curb. This can happen especially in winter’s freezing, wet conditions when you overestimate your car’s traction and over- or understeer.

When water enters your car’s interior, it can damage the sensitive electronics and cause mould in the carpeting, under-padding and seat upholstery. Driving suggests that you remember to close the windows and sunroof and if your car’s interior does get wet, you need to dry it out as soon as possible.

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Loans Canada suggests that you carpool as a way of saving fuel and reducing wear and tear on your car. Either start a carpool with colleagues or friends or use a local ride-sharing site.

Reducing your car insurance costs doesn’t just involve finding the company with the lowest rates. Some of the ways to lower your premiums include having an accident-free driving record, paying your premium in one go and carrying a higher deductible.

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