As petrol prices and the general cost of living continues to increase, it’s good to know there are some ways you can still save money on your car in 2022. We’ve rounded up a few tips on how to cut your budget when it comes to saving money on petrol, your car and vehicle maintenance.
“Owning a car is hugely convenient, but it can also be very expensive. You have the initial investment of the car to contend with, the car insurance and road tolls, and then the running fees such as petrol, servicing and general maintenance that all eat into your monthly budget,” points out Barend Smit, Marketing Director of MotorHappy, a supplier of motor management solutions and car insurance options. Thankfully, however, there are many ways you can save money when it comes to running a car.
Tips to save money on petrol and on your car:
Be smart with car services and vehicle maintenance
Follow your car manufacturer’s recommendations around maintenance and services. A Service Plan or Maintenance Plan through MotorHappy provides easy monthly payments that allow for better budgeting.
A Service Plan pays for specified aspects of the recommended services of your car by an approved facility for a specific term or kilometres travelled, whichever comes first. Filters, spark plugs and lubricants are normally covered by MotorHappy’s Service Plan product partners. A Maintenance Plan pays for everything included in the Service Plan, plus the replacement, maintenance or repair of specific wear-and-tear parts, when necessary.
Select a good, value for money mechanic
Select good value mechanics with a solid reputation to carry out work on your car, preferably a workshop that is a member of the Retail Motor Industry organisation. All members follow strict guidelines that promote ethical work, transparency, loyalty, and fair pricing. Their work will be trustworthy and will keep your car in the best health for as long as possible, which ultimately saves you money in the long run.
Drive smart to save petrol
Your driving style has a massive influence on how much fuel your car uses. Petrol is not a cheap commodity, so even saving just 10% will add up massively as the months go by.
Keep in the highest gear possible without labouring your engine – you’ll want to aim to be in top gear as soon as it is safely possible. Additionally, be proactive rather than reactive with your driving. If you see a red light in the distance, lift off the petrol and coast to it; you may not need to brake at all! Don’t speed too much on highways, either, as the fuel consumption difference between 120km/h and 130km/h is surprisingly large.
Shop around for car insurance
Car insurance is something of a grudge purchase – it’s not glamourous and it’s not a physical thing you can see or hold, so it tends to be something we hate buying.
“You might be tempted to go with the first insurance company that pops into your head, but it’s worth taking the time to shop around, because it can save you money,” says Smit. MotorHappy’s insurance agents can provide quotes from up to seven of South Africa’s leading insurers. “Once we have more information about your requirements, we will provide quotes from multiple providers, allowing you to see which is giving the best deal.”
Consider carpooling
If you’re travelling to the same destination with multiple people, make use of available seats and consider carpooling. You’ll be able to split the cost of any fuel used between whoever is travelling, which drastically reduces the cost of a long-distance journey. If you plan to carpool to save costs, be sure to let your insurer know about your new driving plans.
“Journey costs go beyond just the fuel, so if you can group where possible, it’s a shockingly easy way to save money. When you drive your car less, it isn’t wearing out its oil, tyres, breaks etc. as quickly as it otherwise could,” concludes Smit.
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