10 Driving Tips to Save Money
For most Canadians, weekends means road trips. While a jump in the lake is definitely worth the extra miles, driving can take a serious toll on the health of your vehicle and your wallet.
These are our top 10 money-saving tips to help you make the most out of your long distance travels.
1. Get a tune up
Getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with a car that’s not working is an unfortunate way to ruin a road trip. During a tune up, a mechanic will check your filters, fluids, brakes, battery and everything in-between to make sure your car is running smoothly.
2. Optimize your tires
High temperatures can affect air pressure and degrade the rubber of your tires. Keeping your tires properly inflated will give you better mileage and help you avoid a blowout on the highway.
3. Track gas prices
If you’re used to long-distance driving, you’re probably aware of how high gas prices are. Use a price tracking app like Gas Buddy to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
4. Stick to the speed limit
If you want to save money on gas, cut down on speeding. Did you know that travelling at 120 k.m./hour uses about 20% more fuel than driving 100 k.m./hour? Use cruise control and avoid speeding up and stopping quickly to get the best fuel efficiency.
5. Pack light
A heavier car needs more energy to get moving and therefore burns more gas. Try to keep the amount you put in your trunk to a minimum and avoid loading cargo on the roof, which can increase wind resistance and lower fuel economy.
6. Turn down the A/C
Air conditioning is a lifesaver on a hot summer day, but it also uses more gas. Try cooling down by rolling the windows or cracking the sunroof before you reach for the A/C dial.
7. Avoid idling
Construction season covers almost half the year in Canada, which means you’re idling quite often. If you get stuck in construction zone gridlock this summer, turn off your engine to save money and fuel. Idling for longer than 10 seconds uses more fuel than it takes to restart the engine.
8. Watch your windshield
Have a windshield chip you’ve been ignoring? Heat can actually cause cracks to spread. Get the problem fixed before it becomes a costly repair.
9. Park out of the sun
Overheating can wreck all kinds of havoc on your engine. Keep an eye on your vehicle’s temperature gauge and try to park in the shade whenever you can.
10. Check your fluids
Keeping hydrated during the hot summer months is as important for you as it is for your car. Check your oil and engine coolant levels and top them up before a long road trip.
Taking proper care of your vehicle is a must. Paying attention to maintenance needs before you hit the highway will save you money and ensure more road trips in the future.
At Birchwood Credit Solutions, our entire process has been designed to be as easy and hassle-free as possible. We know your goal is to get driving quickly and our goal is to make that happen. Submit your online application today and start driving within as little as 24-48 hours.
