Keen to reduce car costs? It’s possible with some know-how and ‘Thrifty’ as your middle name. Whether it’s knowing how to save on petrol or dressing for the weather – there are dollars waiting to be saved.
Check out our quick list of ways to save money on car expenses.
In this article
1. Reduce car costs through smart driving habits
A few changes to how you drive can shave off your petrol use. These small savings add up, so be sure to:
- Reduce your speed. Driving slowly burns less fuel and will help you save on petrol
- Close windows. At higher speeds, keeping windows closed reduces friction
- Drive moderately. Don’t randomly accelerate and brake in a harsh manner
- Cruise control. Use it
You’re more likely to maintain an even speed on the highway, which is interestingly the most fuel-efficient way to drive. Keep this in mind at all those stop-start busy city intersections and try to accelerate slowly and brake earlier and smoothly.
Reducing any staccato driving habits can really reduce your carbon footprint too. Read up on these defensive driving skills that not only help keep you safe but help you drive well. Safer and smarter driving can only be a good thing for your fuel consumption and the environment.
2. Empty your boot and reduce car costs
Keep your car boot free of junk. A boot can quickly end up filled with sports equipment you (or your kids) only use once a week. We’re talking cooler bags, spare clothes, beach towels, shoes, and more. While this may be convenient, those added kilos will cost a few dollars extra a year in fuel.
Let’s say you own a Toyota Corolla petrol model and drive about 12,100km a year (the average for Australians). Calculating your petrol price according to a fuel consumption of 6.5l per 100km and a fuel price of $2 per litre, that would be about $1,560 on petrol a year.
However, if you did the same number of kilometres but with 15kg of stuff in your car, you would need approximately $4.68 more in petrol. On a larger scale, imagine if every driver in Australia cleaned out their boot, the fuel saved would be exponential. Given that we have 21.74 million registered cars on the road, we’re talking about over $101 million saved in fuel every year!
Pro-tip: Take off any roof racks or boxes if you’re not using them in the winter – they increase drag and can reduce fuel economy by up to 15-35% depending on factors like your driving habits and the make and model of your car.
3. Dress well
You know that pure wool jacket you never get to wear because it’s usually so hot in Australia? Now’s the time to wear it. Because eventhough temperatures seldom drop below five degrees, nearly all of us still pop on the heater on for early morning/evening drives.
A frugal approach to getting that toasty feeling is to wear that jacket you never get to wear, even if it’s only in the car … And if anyone looks at your sideways while you’re out you can explain it’s to reduce car costs *and* save the environment.
4. Fill up smart
To save on petrol this winter, take advantage of smart refuelling strategies. Use apps like FuelCheck NSW, PetrolSpy, and My 7-Eleven to compare fuel prices in your area and find the cheapest stations nearby. Timing your fill-ups can also make a difference—fuel prices in Australia typically peak on weekends and are lowest midweek, so aim to refuel between Tuesday and Thursday.
Additionally, unless your vehicle specifically requires it, avoid using premium unleaded fuel, as regular unleaded (91 RON*) is sufficient for most cars and significantly cheaper per litre. These small changes can add up to meaningful savings over the course of the season.
5. Choose car insurance wisely
Knowing how to choose the right car insurance plan can help you save many dollars every month. Read our article on how to save money on car insurance to get the inside scoop.
PD Insurance offers three cost effective plans with plenty of benefits, optional extras and savings, depending on how you tailor your policy.
If you’re already a PD Insurance member (congrats), remember to always update us with any lifestyle changes. Because an insurance endorsement could save you money.
*RON stands for Recommended Octane Number and measures how well the fuel resists engine knocking during combustion under standardised test conditions in a laboratory.