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Cost Of Car

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If you own a car, you know how expensive it can be to keep it running and insured at all times. It seems the cost of vehicle ownership continues to rise, yet this is one item most families cannot live without. They either don't have access to public transportation, need the vehicle for their job or have another reason a car has become a necessity rather than a luxury. The cost of car ownership doesn't have to break the bank, however. Here is how to save money on your car.

Keep a vehicle longer. Don't trade it in for a new model every two or three years. Each year, new vehicle costs continue to rise, yet depreciation remains the same. The value of a car drops significantly the moment it is driven off the lot. It's best to keep a vehicle …show more content…

When a car hasn't been tuned up in a timely manner, it uses more gasoline, up to 33 percent more each year. In addition, the air filter should be checked monthly, as a dirty filter can reduce gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

Don't purchase premium gasoline unless the vehicle has a high-performance engine and this high-octane gas is recommended by the manufacturer. By using a lower-octane gas, a driver can save up to 15 percent on their fueling costs.

Download an app to find the lowest gas prices along your route. Although no driver should go out of their way to buy cheaper gas, unless the prices are significantly different, learning who has the cheapest gas can help to save big bucks over time. Thanks to apps available to drivers today, doing so have never been …show more content…

Wear a sweater and warm gloves in the winter to stay warm and keep the heat down. During the summer months, when the temperature starts to climb, open the windows and all the air movement to cool the car before cutting the air conditioner on. Often, drivers find this is enough to keep them comfortable without touching the controls.

Make fuel economy a priority when purchasing a vehicle. A four-cylinder vehicle uses less gas than a six cylinder, and automatic transmissions require more fuel than their manual counterparts. Keep factors such as this in mind when purchasing a new car to save money every month at gas stations.

Pay attention to driving habits. Speeding reduces fuel mileage and braking hard wastes gas. The same is true of rapid acceleration, thus it's time to start paying attention to things such as this. Break these bad habits and save money each and every month when filling up at the gas

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