How Smart Drivers Can Reduce their Motoring Costs

 

Running a car is an increasingly expensive business due to the mounting cost of fuel, repairs, insurance and taxes. Add in the cost of the car itself and you’re facing a sizeable annual bill for the convenience of being mobile.

It is possible to reduce costs by cutting corners — buying a cheaper, older car and having it serviced less frequently or not at all. However, that puts you at risk and may be more expensive in the long term since, when you do get problems; they will be more serious and take longer for our Kingsgrove mechanic to sort out.

The Best Ways to Save Money Safely

Cutting corners isn’t a sensible thing to do, particularly since it can put you in danger. But there are plenty of other things you can do to save money:

·        Drive sensibly and efficiently. If you’re constantly accelerating and braking hard, that’s bad for fuel consumption and wear on the brakes. Instead, aim to drive smoothly, be aware of what’s ahead and change gear to adjust to your speed. That will save on fuel, make your car last longer and reduce the need for repairs by a Bexley mechanic.

·        Check your tyres frequently. Worn tyres can be dangerous and those inflated to the wrong pressure will increase fuel consumption. Although you don’t need the best quality tyres, cheap ones that are under-inflated will cost you.

·        Reduce the load. If you have a roof rack on the car, it’s producing drag and adding weight that will make fuel consumption worse. Similarly, if your boot’s full of stuff, it’s all added weight to carry so remove anything that’s not needed. Clear the clutter for better performance.

·        Get the best deal. Shop around for insurance rather than just renewing automatically. That will ensure you get the cheapest price. Pay annually if you can because monthly instalments will incur interest.

·        Care for your car. Keeping the car clean and in good order will prolong its useful life. And there are things you can do yourself to save money, such as replacing worn wiper blades and light bulbs.

Efficient Performance

If you do try to look after your car, you will be more aware of its state. So, you’ll know if the brakes look worn, if the tyres need replacing or if there are other defects.

Whilst you may not be able to correct these yourself, our Earlwood mechanic will be happy to help and early action will keep you safe and save you money on more extensive repairs later. We’ll also be happy to check things out and carry out regular services so your car will run as efficiently as possible.

Looking after you Car during Lockdown

Whilst the coronavirus pandemic remains a huge problem, many people are in lockdown. As part of that, they’re possibly not getting out at all and so their car remains out of action.

Eventually the lockdown will end, and life will return to normal. When that happens, you want to be sure you don’t need to call out a Kingsgrove mechanic or one from elsewhere to fix a flat battery or other problems.

Essential Steps to Protect your Car

If your car isn’t going to be used for a long period, it needs to be made secure. Ideally, that means locked away in a garage or, if none is available, on your driveway with the keys safely in the house.

Putting the car in a garage will protect it from sunlight, rain, dust, humidity, bird mess and anything else that can damage the paintwork. The alternative is a fitted cover but, before putting the car away, ensure it’s clean inside and out.

Wash thoroughly to prevent the build up of grime that damages paintwork, particularly removing mud and brake dust from the wheels. Rinse with clean water, dry with a micro fibre cloth and apply wax polish for added protection. Also thoroughly clean the interior, removing any organic matter that can rot and avoiding excess moisture that can cause mould and musty smells.

The biggest problem that is likely to result from prolonged inactivity is a flat battery. A trickle charger will help while driving your car for fifteen minutes every two weeks, or at least running the engine for that long will help to prevent this and also circulate oil to protect the engine. A full fuel tank will prevent condensation and rusting inside the tank as well as prolonging the life of the fuel.

The car should be left with the handbrake off to prevent it seizing up. Place chocks against the wheels if you’re worried it may move or remove the wheels entirely and put the car on axle stands to prevent flat spots developing on the tyres. Serious flat spots may require new tyres to be fitted by an Earlwood mechanic.

Check before you Drive

It’s essential you periodically check the condition of your car to detect problems and particularly at the end of lockdown before using your car. Make sure the brake discs aren’t corroded, the battery has enough charge, oil and coolant levels are okay and, for a diesel car, that the diesel particulate filter isn’t clogged.

To be really sure you’re good to go, a Bexley mechanic can check for problems and correct them. Don’t risk your safety when going back on the road.

Drive Safely in Wet Weather Conditions

None of us enjoys driving in wet weather. It can be dangerous and stressful, particularly after dark. While innovations such as ABS, traction control and vehicle stability control make wet weather driving so much safer, there are a number of ways you can mitigate the risk factors.
We take a look at five things that will help you to drive more safely in wet weather conditions.

Cut Your Speed

The number one piece of advice that you should take on board is to slow down. By reducing your speed, you’ll have more time to react should something go wrong. Avoid making any abrupt changes in speed or direction and try to keep more distance between your car and the car in front.

Be Seen and Be Safe

Most modern cars have automatic lights which turn on in adverse weather conditions, but if you still have the manual type, make sure that you switch them on.  It’s also advisable to ensure that your wipers are up to the job, so check them for wear or damage to the blades. It’s easy to change the wiper blade yourself, or it can be done as part of routine maintenance when you take your car for a service in Earlwood.

Keep Your Vehicle Well Maintained

Every car owner should ensure that they keep their vehicle well maintained by booking it in for a regular car service in Bexley. During a service, your mechanic will check the brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and ABS.

As part of your routine maintenance tasks, it’s essential to ensure that you keep a good eye on your tyres. If they lose more than 50% of their tread, their traction will be compromised, particularly in rainy conditions.

Pay More Attention to the Road

During wet weather, it’s sensible to avoid driving through puddles, even if they are relatively small as there is the potential that your vehicle will aquaplane. You should also keep a more careful eye on the traffic around you so that you can react quickly should an unexpected situation develop.

Be Prepared

Whatever time of year you travel, having an emergency kit in your car is always a good idea. In addition to the usual items, consider adding a rain poncho or waterproof jacket to your kit along with a torch in case you break down when it’s dark and wet.

Stay Safe While Driving in the Rain

Staying safe while driving in wet weather is mainly down to common sense, appropriate driving for the conditions and ensuring that your vehicle is roadworthy. And don’t forget, to keep abreast of upcoming weather conditions by listening to the weather forecast so that you know what to expect on the roads.