Owning a car is expensive. On average, it costs drivers $8,469 per year to own a vehicle, including costs ranging from gas to repairs. If you own more than one vehicle, that average cost can quickly multiply. So, how can you save money if you have multiple cars? Check out these useful tips.
Insurance
Each vehicle you own requires insurance, no matter how inconvenient it might be. Without proper insurance, even the best motor vehicle collision attorney is going to have a tough time protecting you from the law. The best thing you can do is search insurance plans for multi-car discounts.
In some cases, you can save up to 30% off the total cost, much like you would when bundling home and auto. You might also be able to take care of multi-car plans on top of a discount, doubling your savings. Ask as many questions as possible when speaking with an insurance representative to ensure their policies are crystal clear.
Fuel Costs
Even with highly fuel-efficient cars, your monthly gas bill increases wit each vehicle. To get started saving cash, download a gas app to help track your spending. Some apps also offer discounts and show you which gas stations in your area offer the lowest prices.
Rewards programs, like Giant Eagle’s fuelperks+ program, are another excellent way to save money. Each program is different, but your purchases allow you to save on your next fill up. Various credit cards also offer cash back, which can help you mitigate your costs.
Maintenance
This is the toughest category to save in and, unfortunately, also the most expensive. There a few simple things you can do, like relying on synthetic oil for its increased lifespan and ensuring your tires always have their recommended air pressure, but things get trickier from there.
For your tires, make sure each vehicle has theirs rotated every six months to extend their lifetime. This can also increase gas mileage. Don’t forget to take advantage of free air sources at gas stations when filling your tires for extra savings.
Not only does taking care of your tires help you with cost, it also prevents accidents. Letting your tires go affects your car’s ability to brake and can cause sudden flats that are dangerous at high speeds. Motor vehicle accident lawyers can help if you run into this issue.
Your air filters are another item that can quickly rack up costs if not changed properly. They affect everything from fuel economy to the efficiency of other engine parts, so make sure you’re changing them every 30,000 miles.
Finally, there’s transmission. Automatic cars need theirs tuned every 60,000-100,000 miles, while manual vehicles need work between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. This includes transmission fluids and any fine tuning. As long as you take your cars in when it’s time, you’ll avoid heft maintenance bills in the future.
Saving Cash
There’s no sure-fire way to gain enormous savings with multiple vehicles, outside of rarely driving, but following these simple tips can help you save cash. For one final savings tip, don’t let an older car drain your savings. Owning up-to-date cars is an excellent way to ensure you’re not dealing with a lemon.
