Ways to Save On Car Expenses

Here are 24 tips to saving on car expenses.

1. Ride a bike or use public transportation instead of driving your car.

2. Sell your second and third cars. This will save you on car registration and insurance.

3. Buy a good used car rather than an expensive new car. The value of a new car drops thousands of dollars as soon as you drive it off the lot so why not buy a good used car. You will probably get good money when you trade in your used car if you keep it in good condition.

4. Keep your car longer instead of buying a new one. If you pay off your car, don't rush out and buy a new one. It's nice to not have to pay a car payment every month, and you can put that money into your savings account.

5. Don't buy vanity or custom plates. Personalized plates are just an unnecessary car expense.

6. If you are going to buy a new car, buy it at the end of the month instead of the beginning. Most car dealers' quotas have to be met by the end of the month so you are more likely able to negotiate a better price if you purchase at the end of the month.

7. Shop around when buying a car. Don't buy the first car you fall in love with because if you shop around you may be able to buy the same car for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars less.

8. You can save money on car expenses by driving the speed limit and avoiding speeding tickets. Speeding tickets will increase your insurance rates.

9. Pay cash when buying a car. This will save you on the loan interest rates.

10. Save money on car expenses by not driving a car that is costly to insure. The more ordinary the car is, the more likelihood that the car insurance will be cheaper.

11. If you sell your old car, sell it yourself, don't trade it in. You will probably make more money than what a dealer would give you if you traded it in.

12. When driving your car, avoiding quick starts and stops. Quick stop and gos burn up brakes, gas, tires, and oil.

13. Avoid toll roads. This will save you toll money.

14. Parking at a meter that still has time left on it. Why pay for a meter when you can park for free at one that still has time left. Also, store extra change in your car incase you need it for parking meters. An expired parking meter could cost you a ticket, which is another unnecessary car expense.

14. Drive carefully to avoid accidents, which can be another costly car expense.

15. Change your oil regularly and performing routine car maintenance yourself.

16. Take care of your tires. Having your tires rotated and checked for air can save you from having to replace them prematurely.

17. Save money by purchasing your motor oil and other car fluids from an auto parts discount store instead of a gas station.

18. Need car parts? Check for spare car parts at a junkyard, on Craigslist or on eBay. Why pay top dollar at an auto parts store.

19. Save money on car expenses by not having your routine maintenance work done by the car dealership. Car dealerships are way over priced. Find a good, reliable mechanic that you can trust.

20. Save money on car insurance by dropping collision and/or comprehensive insurance coverage on your older cars. If your car is worth less than a couple thousand dollars than having these extra coverages may not be cost effective.

21. Insure all your cars with the same insurance company. This way you may qualify for a multi car discount, which will save you money on your insurance bill.

22. Keep license, insurance, and registration up-to-date to avoid late fees.

23. Washing your car yourself instead of taking it to a car wash.

24. Drive less. Your insurance company may offer a discount if you drive fewer than the stipulated number of miles per year.

1. Driving 60 mph instead of 70 can save you up to 40 cents per gallon.

2. Topping off tire pressure can save you up to 8 cents per gallon.

3. Getting regular engine tuneups can save you up to 11 cents per gallon.

4. Trading in a 20-mpg car for one that gets 30 mpg can save you up to 89 cents per gallon.

5. Avoiding aggressive driving and quick acceleration and braking can save you up to 13 cents per gallon.

1. Change your car's oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles. Routine maintenance can extend the life of your engine and improve your gas mileage.

2. Carpool whenever possible. You will save money on gas and car maintenance.

3. Pump your own gas. Don't use a full service station and have your gas pumped.

4. Steel-belted radial tires can help to improve your car's gas efficiency. Check the tire pressure regularly to ensure they are not under-inflated. This can save you hundreds of dollars every year.

5. Cut down on driving and car expense by combining your errands into one trip.

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