Practical Money Saving Measures

MONEY TIPS - ON MY CAR RUNNING COSTS

Cars like these are exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and populate the lowest tier insurance group with the consequential reduction in insurance premiums. Even cars emitting up to 120 g/kg of CO2 only incur a VED cost of £ 35 per year.

These cars with efficient engines also have another ace to play in the running costs stakes that of eking out more miles from every expensive gallon of fuel. Many of the current crop of small cars have little trouble in returning over 60 mpg on the combined cycle.

Of course trading down to a smaller car may not be practical or affordable for some, so what else can you do to reduce your cost of motoring? Prevention is preferable to cure so it is vitally important to maintain a car' s reliability and reduce running costs by having it is serviced regularly.

Regular servicing will not only ensure better performance but an efficient engine should also mean lower fuel consumption, not to mention a cleaner exhaust and of course, greater reliability. Mechanical problems can also be identified early before they become expensive to repair.

It sounds obvious, but another cost-saving solution is to use your vehicle less, especially for those short trips to the shops. It' s worth remembering that internal combustion engines work more efficiently once they' ve reached optimum temperature and during short journeys this is usually not achieved.

Using your car only for short journeys leads to higher CO2 emissions, increased fuel consumption and more engine wear. Many motorists are now learning to mix it up, turning old-fashioned alternatives like walking or cycling to feel green and save money.

Tyres are also an important component of a car that affects its efficient running and costs. Checking the tread depths and tyre pressures should be a regular activity to ensure that they are in good condition and at the correct pressure to ensure efficient running. Low pressure in the tyres can adversely affect the smooth running of a vehicle and increase fuel consumption.