​Cost saving tips for running your car

Regularly service your car

Dropping off your car for a service might seem like a hassle, but it has long-term benefits. Not only will your car run more efficiently, it'll also be more reliable.

You should service your car every six months, or every 10-15,000 kilometres (this varies car to car, so check your car's manual for specifics).

Check your tyre pressure

Keep your tyres at the right pressure. Under or over inflated tyres not only use up to six per cent more petrol, they'll wear out more quickly.

Moreover, they're unsafe. Check them monthly to ensure your cornering, stability, and braking are not compromised.

Ask your mechanic to check they're balanced and properly aligned when you go in for your service.

Fill up petrol on the cheapest day

Avoid filling up on weekends and public holidays. Fuel prices often sneak up from Thursday through to Sunday, so buy petrol earlier in the week.

Also hold on to your shopping dockets. That 4c per litre saving adds up.

Drive sensibly

It might seem obvious, but a lot people don't realise the downsides of erratic driving.

Not only are you more likely to have an accident, but being heavy on the pedals (stopping and starting aggressively) uses way more petrol.

Maintain a safe following distance from the car in front and aim for smooth acceleration and braking.

Be patient and ask yourself: 'Is it worth weaving through traffic—taking risks and chewing through the gas— just to get a few cars ahead?’

Shop around for the best insurance deals

Just because you’ve received your insurance renewal notice doesn’t mean you have to pay it. With so many insurance companies out there hungry for business, it's worth shopping around for a cheaper deal.

Find an honest mechanic

Cars are more complicated than they used to be – and finding an honest mechanic will save you plenty of time and money.

Ask family, friends and co-workers if they know a mechanic worthy of recommendation. If not, test a local mechanic with a small job to see if you can trust them with something more major.

Remove unnecessary weight from car

Think of your car like your body – would you carry a backpack if you didn’t need to? Of course not. It will make you tired, thirsty, grumpy, and give you a sore back.

Your car's the same. The more weight it carries, the more fuel it uses (and the more wear and tear there is on tyres, the chassis and suspension).

The long-term effects mean a rest break at the mechanic, and more money spent on maintenance.

Don’t speed

Given all the marketing campaigns, you’d think this was a no-brainer. But each year thousands of people die on Australian roads due to speeding.

Flouting the law can not only be fatal, you could also incur demerit points, a hefty fine or you could end up losing your licence.

It's also costly in terms of fuel. Speeding 10km/h above the limit can increase your fuel consumption by 10%, costing you hundreds of dollars extra each year.