Auto Trader is helping you fight the credit crunch with its daily digest of money-saving tips.
But what things do YOU do to save money on your motoring?
We’ve already explained how checking your tyre pressure and making your car aerodynamic can increase your fuel economy.
And we’ve said how to get cheaper car insurance and cut the cost of road tax.
Check out the Auto Trader homepage each day for the latest tip. You can view the entire collection of money-saving tips on our archive page.
How do you save money on your motoring? Share your tips below.
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8 Comments
July 18, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Basic points, I know but turning off / down air-conditioning in hot weather, controlling your speed and driving style (i.e smooth and with regular gear changes = increased fuel efficiency) and careful planning / combining of journeys to keep useage / trips to a minimum.
August 5, 2008 at 3:23 pm
If hot, use air conditioning when coasting downhills or approaching a stop only (in gear, zero throttle condition NOT with clutch in or not in gear!).
Instead of using the energy from the fuel, it will use the kinetic energy of the car to power the air conditioning compressor/pump unit. Switch off again as soon as stopped or applying throttle. This is a small version of regenerative braking…. In my small Peugeot 107, you can feel that extra re-gen ‘braking’ effect when air-con is switched on.
August 5, 2008 at 3:30 pm
1. Stick to or under speed limits. (They are afterall only a maximum limit and thus one doesnt have to travel at the stipulated maximum!) (All other things being equal - my old Renault Clio 172 would do 33mpg at 90mph, 40mpg at 80mph and 49mpg at 70mph)
2. Anticipation of whats coming up ahead thus preventing excessive braking and subsequent acceleration up to required speed.
3. If doing lots of Motorway miles ensure tyres are inflated at the recommended high speed pressures. These are generally 2-5psi higher than standard urban driving recommended pressures.
September 30, 2008 at 9:26 am
Cycle more
October 2, 2008 at 8:44 am
What a rubbish estimates.
The average conversion for 4cyl car is around £1200-£1300 including VAT. The fuel econonomy on LPG is @ MAX 10% worse. This means that an average car that does 12kmls per annum would pay for itself after around 11kmls. Assuming that the car does about 28mpg and LPG/Gasoline is 50% of the price.
I would greatly appriciate if you do your homework first before publishing incorrect information!!!.
October 2, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your comment. Can I ask which article you are referring to – the money-saving tip or could you save money with LPG article?
The statistics in our articles were obtained from UKLPG – the trade association for LPG in the UK. Cost amounts for LPG conversions were taken from The Greenfuel Company Ltd.
We always strive to provide accurate information and advice in our features.
October 7, 2008 at 4:09 pm
LPG looks good on paper, but after selling several variations, i’ve found that on older models the chance of having problems with emissions at mot time increases greatly as they tend to eat lambda sensors for some reason. Plus the cost of repair is higher as its a specialist area and also a gas leak can be a potential disaster. Stick with a good diesel.
November 4, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Hi
LPG will indeed save money, usually the bigger /thirstier the engine the better. However, check your car >should< (not can) be converted. My Subaru Outback 3.0 MY2004 was purchased pre-converted (one of main reasons) but I now find that Scoobies can suffer from valve-seat recession as LPG burns cleaner/hotter, & doesn’t deposit as much internal muck, hence valve-seats start to feel it. Initially felt as poor starting/minor misfire, could eventually lead to £££££ repairs (negating the LPG-savings planned). Apparently Hondas generally & CRV’s specifically are also problematic. Grrrr.
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