How Families Can Save Money on Cars and Gas: Buy Reliable and Fuel Efficient Cars, Stop Speeding and Conserve Gas

It can be easy to overlook ways that people can save money when it comes to their automobiles, but it’s possible to save hundreds or thousands of dollars in this area if someone is willing put in time and effort.

Purchase a Reliable and Fuel Efficient Car
Many people get swept away by the modern features of a new car when purchasing a new vehicle. However, this can be detrimental in the long run. Don't go to a dealership until research has been done. Look at reviews from drivers on search engines such as Google. One can do this by typing in the make, model, and year, such as "Toyota Corolla 2000 reviews," into a search engine. Also, pick up the latest copy of Consumer Reports to get the latest information on automobiles. Put fuel efficiency at the top of the priority list to save hundreds or thousands of dollars on gas every year.

Buying a new car can be exciting and being the first owner of car might seem glamorous, but consider getting a used car. Someone can shave thousands of dollars off of the cost by buying a used car, and many cars can be found with low mileage, especially at dealerships. If buying used, research the going rate of the car for the ability to negotiate before purchasing.

Keep Air in the Tires and Buy Cheap Gas
When someone stops at a gas station, they should check the air in her tires once a month. If the amount of air is low, they should put air in the tires to get better gas mileage and prevent future issues. It is sometimes free, so take advantage this money saving tip. Check the car manual to see how much air is needed in the tires. While looking in the manual, take a peek at the cheapest type of gas recommended and always stick with it.

Change the Oil and Maintenance the Car Regularly
Change the oil however often the car manual recommends. Also, getting regular maintenance can prevent issues or catch them early to save lots of money. Don't wait until there is a big problem. If something seems off, take it a repair shop to get the car looked at. Also, shop around for car repairs. Don't go to the first place in the phone book. Instead, call several repair shops and ask how much it would cost to get needed repairs. People shouldn't always go with the lowest estimate. Check reputations before taking a car to a body shop.

Plan ahead for repairs, especially if it's an older car. Put money away each month in case of an emergency. Families that don't have a lot of money can do themselves a big favor by putting away at least $5-$10 each week. That might mean eating out one less time, but it could make a huge difference when dealing with a blown tire or crack in the windshield.

Save Money on Gas By Making a Few Changes
People can save money on gas by conserving it. Make sure to tighten the gas cap as tight as possible when after filling up, and don't fill past capacity. Gas is expensive, so any that sloshes out costs money. Change the tires on the car, so they're appropriate for the weather. For example, snow tires can increase gas consumption in the summer. It's also a good idea to turn off the air conditioner when approaching a destination. Turn it off about 10 minutes before to conserve gas and still feel comfortable.

Use Cruise Control to Reduce Speeding
Don't give in to the temptation to speed. It's a bad habit that can cost someone lots of money. When people speed, they reduce the fuel efficiency of their cars, put more wear on the cars, and put themselves at a greater chance to have an accident or get a speeding ticket. One speeding ticket can cost hundreds of dollars if it increases insurance and the person has to pay for driving classes due to it. It is not worth it.

People can save money related to their cars and reduce their gas costs by purchasing a reliable and fuel efficient car, keeping air in the tires, buying cheap gas, changing the oil regularly, conserving gas, and using cruise control to reduce speeding.