Cars are often a necessary but significant investment. If you want something reliable and long-lasting, it can be expensive, which is why you find ways to budget the costs of your vehicle. Fortunately, when the weather gets nice, and summer hits, some simple ways exist to cut costs.
Change Your Oil
It’s easy to ignore the ‘check engine’ light, and let’s be honest, many of us do. But, you could be causing costly damage by not performing routine maintenance on your car. Be mindful of your car’s oil. If you try to drive it without changing it regularly, you are putting extra pressure on your engine, which can reduce its lifespan.
Summer is a great time for road trips. If you enjoy camping, hiking, or lying at the beach, you’re probably willing to go far distances to do so. As long as your car is in good condition, a long drive shouldn’t be a problem, but remember to check the mileage you’re about to do. According to Nerd Wallet, the average vehicle should have its oil changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Use Free Air to Fill Your Tires
A flat tire is an inconvenience and an unexpected expense. It usually happens while you’re going somewhere, like work, and can be extremely frustrating. Depending on how long you drove on the flat tire and the state of the road, you might have even damaged the wheel.
But a flat tire isn’t the only way to hurt your car’s wheels. Driving with low air in your tires also causes issues later but is quickly resolved. Check your tires’ air pressure regularly before the ‘low tire pressure’ notification turns on.
If you’re like the seven out of 10 Americans that, according to StudyFinds, live paycheck to paycheck, you can’t afford issues with your car. Fortunately, when it comes to your tires’ air pressure, you can fill them for free at many gas stations. Don’t assume that they don’t need regular maintenance because it’s summer and the weather is nice.
Switch Insurance Companies
When it comes to insurance, it’s better to be overprepared than under. It’s tempting to choose the lowest premium plan and leave it there, but, in the event of an accident, you’ll regret not having good coverage. Assess what your current policy covers, and if it meets all of your needs.
Accidents happen, and while you might have unintentionally been the one to hit another car, legally, you will be held liable. That means that, even if you’re on the highway driving 70 miles per hour and the car in front of you slams on their vehicles, causing you to hit them, the law will see it as your fault. While according to WalletHub, in New York, the minimum required liability car insurance coverage is $25,000, which covers far less than you might think. After legal fees, medical fees, fixing damage to the cars, and any other financial problems someone runs into after an accident, you may be looking at a much higher amount of money for which you’ll be responsible.
Consider Walking or Riding Your Bike
You don’t have to drive everywhere, tempting as it may be. Enjoy a long walk in the sun. Not only will it save you money on your vehicle, but your body will thank you. The psychological effects of being outside and the physical effects of exercise are worth taking a break from the wheel. If you have a bike, it’s a great time to hop on it and use it as a form of transportation.
Cutting costs on your vehicle during the summer is much easier than it might seem. With regular maintenance, the right insurance, and taking breaks from driving, you’ll save yourself the stress of spending all your money on your vehicle.
