Motorists may not realize how expensive it is to own a car because they pay bit by bit. When they total them up at the end of the year, they will see how large the spending is. Although the most visible of the costs is gas, there are depreciation, maintenance, gas and insurance to consider when you are crunching the numbers. According AAA, the average yearly running cost for one automobile is $10,728, or $894 per month.

The good news is that when the amount spent is high you can save substantial amounts by looking into solutions. Here are 10 ways of saving money on vehicle related costs.

1. Look after Your Car

There are a few benefits of looking after your automobile well. First of all, well looked after vehicles keep their value better. You will have a hard time selling it if it is not serviced properly, especially if the records aren’t kept. Secondly, if you opt for necessary services related to Car repair arvada or elsewhere, like getting the brakes restored, the engine mended, and the catalytic converters fixed, your car would not break down easily. This would help you in avoiding expensive repairs down the lane. Thirdly, properly upkeeped vehicles burn less petrol when the engine, oil, and filters are clean, which is very good for the environment as they emit less carbon dioxide emissions.

2. Keep Clean Driving Records

Again, there are several benefits to being a good driver. First of all, you avoid traffic tickets and fines and possible car insurance premium increases. Secondly, you avoid accidents and dents on your auto that have a direct effect on vehicle insurance rates, as well as its value.

3. Cycle

Unfortunately, we don’t cycle enough. Cars burn a lot of petrol when they start and stop and in short journeys from home to shops. You can get on your bicycle and drop by your friends, post office or your favorite coffee shop. It is easy to park and you exercise in the process. There are so many pleasant cycling routes in many cities these days that it is a joy to ride a bike, unless it is raining and miserable of course.

4. Car Share

Another way of keeping car usage to a minimum is to share rides with your colleagues or even with your family. You don’t have to take two cars in a similar direction. One can drop off the other. It may seem negligible effort but every little helps. Also, keeping a shopping list helps in finishing your job at the supermarket in one go.

5. Find the Cheapest Fuel Prices

This is quite easy to achieve. Most motorists have four or five gas stations in their route to work, supermarket or school. Watching the prices and filling up at the cheapest station is not hard to do. Potentially, you can save five to ten dollar a week this way. If everyone does this, there would be a serious pressure on gas stations to watch their prices too.

6. Watch Out for Repair Costs

This one is about not getting swindled by a crafty mechanic. Some of them are so bad that they create problems or report non-existent issues so that they can charge you an arm and a leg. You should always get a second opinion when you are reported expensive repairs. And keep the name and recommend when you find a decent mechanic.

7. Find Cheap Auto Insurance Policies

Many motorists come short of finding the best deals when it comes to car insurance. They become sentimental towards their current insurer or lazy to shop around. At the end they let their policy auto renew for another year. This type of ignorance costs money. You need to ask yourself if you can find cheaper automobile insurance from an alternative provider. It is not hard to get a few quotes and switch insurers if it makes sense. Keep checking at least once a year too.

8. Use Coupons and Get Cash Back

Using your credit card for car related expenses can offer you cash back. Also, you may be able to get petrol coupons when you shop in large supermarkets with gas stations. Be on the lookout for these extra benefits. All you need to do is to show your discount card and get the points.

9. Cut Parking Costs

Most local authorities love parking charges and keep increasing them as a means of further revenue. To cope with this situation, it seems critical to look for affordable parking spaces in order to reduce daily parking costs.

10. Pay your Premium Upfront

This is another easy way of saving money. When you pay vehicle insurance premiums upfront you don’t have to pay additional credit arrangement costs and you may be able to take advantage of further discounts. Keep this in mind for the next renewal.

If motorists pay attention to these things, they can come up with a few more solutions themselves. It is just about being mindful and caring about your pocket.