Save on your car running costs.
Be smart about spending money on your car. Reduce the chance of costly repairs, use your fuel efficiently, and keep your motor running smoothly.
Looking after your car
The best thing you can do is look after your car. Keeping it in good working order can save on fuel costs and avoid potentially costly repairs.
Regularly service your car
Don’t let that rattling sound develop into a major headache later on. Get your car serviced at least every year to keep it in the best possible condition. If you get a small nick or bump in the body or windscreen, get it seen to as soon as you can. If left unchecked, it could develop into a much bigger problem, like rust or a crack, that’s more costly to fix. Check if windscreen replacement is included in your insurance policy.
Check and change your engine oil once a month
Minimise wear and tear on your engine by getting your engine oil changed regularly, which generally varies between every 15,000 to 30,000km. If your engine oil is running low, top it up using the correct grade of oil for your car. Your car manual or your mechanic will tell you which to use. Using friction-reducing oil keeps the engine’s moving parts from wearing away over time. Take care not to overfill the engine.
Have a regular eye on fluid levels
Check there’s enough liquid in your engine’s cooling system and top it up if you need to. You might want to include anti-freeze in the mixture. It’ll protect your engine from frost damage in winter and from overheating in the warmer months.
Keep your tyres properly inflated
One simple way to save on car running costs is to keep your tyres inflated to the right pressure. Correct tyre pressure can help reduce fuel consumption, improve handling and stop your tyres wearing out faster than they should. Check your tyre pressure regularly, especially before a long trip, and make sure your wheels are aligned and balanced every six months or every 10,000 km.
Get your wheels aligned and balanced every six months or 10,000 km, whichever you reach first. And make sure your tyres have enough tread to keep you safe on the road.
Wash your car regularly
Not only will it make it shine, it also removes any potentially corrosive materials from the body such as bird droppings, tar, grime, tree sap, and other dirt. After you’ve washed your car, a coat of wax will create a protective barrier.Utility Section Description
Before you drive
Reduce your car’s weight and cut drag
The less weight your car carries, the less fuel is used. Removing any heavy boxes or clutter will make your drive more efficient, and more pleasant for you and your passengers too.
If your car has a bike holder or roof rack attached, take those off if you’re not using them frequently. It will reduce drag on your car, and make your fuel use more economical
Fill your fuel tank to the first 'click' only
Overfilling the fuel tank could lead to spillage, or loss through the overflow pipe. This is wasteful, harmful to the environment, and a costly. Make sure that your fuel cap fits properly too – it prevents fuel from evaporating during the warmer months of the year.
Drive in a way that uses less fuel
A few small changes to the way you drive can help reduce fuel use and lower your car running costs.
Drive smoothly
Rapid acceleration and heavy braking can use more fuel, especially in stop-start traffic. Try to keep your speed steady, slow down earlier when you can, and avoid accelerating hard when you’ll need to brake again soon.
Sticking to the speed limit can also help your fuel go further - and helps you avoid the extra cost of a speeding ticket.
Use the right gear
Driving in the right gear helps your engine work more efficiently. If you drive a manual, changing gear at the right time can help reduce unnecessary fuel use.
Cut dow on idling
Idling uses fuel even when you’re not going anywhere. If you’re safely parked and waiting for more than a short moment, turning the engine off can help reduce wasted fuel.
Where possible, planning trips outside peak traffic can also help you avoid repeated braking, accelerating and long periods of idling.
Use air conditioning wisely
Air conditioning can increase fuel use, especially when it’s working hard on hot days. Use it when you need it, but consider switching to recirculated air once the car has cooled down.
Opening windows can be useful at lower speeds, but at higher speeds it can create drag, which may also increase fuel use.
Find a better fuel price
Comparing fuel prices nearby is one of the simplest ways to save on running costs.
Apps like Gaspy can help you find the cheapest fuel in your area, while fuel cost calculators can help you estimate costs before a longer trip. . Or use Roadtrip to work out your fuel costs in advance of a long journey. It's also worth keeping an eye out for supermarket or loyalty fuel discounts, as small savings can add up over time.
Savings outside the car
Shop around for car insuance
Car insurance is another place to check if you want to reduce your overall car running costs. Make sure your policy still suits your needs and that you’re not paying for extras you don’t use.
It can be worth comparing quotes, checking whether your current insurer offers a better deal, or asking about discounts if you have more than one policy with the same provider.
Choose car finance that works for your budget
If you’re looking at getting a new car or want to refinance your current one, make sure you get a loan with repayments you can afford. Talk with one of our friendly local lending specialists, and they’ll work with you on a loan suited to your needs.