5 common mistakes to avoid on UK roads
Your car may be driving you round the Mercedes Benz (See what we did there?) with how much it costs you each month; whether it drains fuel quicker than a space shuttle, consistently breaks down on you, or forces you to continuously dip in and out of your savings with ludicrously expensive parts, which don’t seem to help – even slightly.
Whatever the metric you use for the expense your car has on your wallet, do something to change it today!
We have composed a guide with the 5 tips that will help bat away expensive receipts, and start spending your hard-earned money on the person who matters most – you.
1) Tyre-some challenges
Firstly, for both safety purposes alongside monetary reasons, you should always ensure you perform regular checks on your car.
You wouldn’t wear horrible, cheap shoes, so why dress your car like that?
Without the proper tyre pressure, your vehicle may cost you more than you had bargained for. Neglecting the basic checks for tyre pressure on your beloved vehicle poses both a safety risk, alongside a costly expense each month. Michelin tested the effects of a tyre deflated by 20%, and found that it would typically return 20% less mileage before the tyre needed to be changed- a costly expense for neglecting the health of your tyre.
→ What does this mean for you?
For every £10 on Petrol or Diesel, you will be wasting around £2 almost immediately.
How many Freddo’s can you buy with that?!
So go wipe the cobwebs off the spine of your owner’s manual, scroll through the 100 pages of blurb until you locate that golden tyre pressure information.
Or do a quick Google search – whatever is easiest for you.
2) Reduce drag
No, no, no this is not a boycott of Ru Paul.
Via: GIPHY
If you are one of those adventurous people who choose to spend your weekends in 3 feet of mud, instead of 3 feet below the covers, then you may be able to make a quick change which can save you lots of dollar.
Removing bike racks and roof bars from your vehicle will help improve the aerodynamics of the car, and provide you with a smoother ride, whilst also helping you save money.
According to Men’s Health ‘adding roof rails alone decreased the car’s fuel economy by about seven per cent’.
→ What does this mean for you?
Cruising around with a roof-rack attached will set you back around 2mpg- whilst this does not seem a lot, it may rack up (Get it?).
3) Greener choice
Not to sound too much like Greta Thunberg- but make a greener choice.
We are not saying that you need to walk everywhere by any means, but switching up your driving habits can help make you some green (Yes, we know, these jokes are great).
Warming up your engine in the morning may seem like an obvious choice in the cold winter mornings – but not from a financial perspective.
According to Lifewire, ‘if you drive a vehicle with an engine that’s bigger than 3.6L, and you idle it for just 10 minutes each day, you could easily cost yourself over £38 worth of gas over the course of the winter’.
Why spend your hard-earned cash turning the engine on in your drive?
→ What does this mean for you?
Ummmmmmm nearly £40!
Furthermore, there is a legal requirement for you to be inside your vehicle whilst the engine is running, which may cost you even more in fines or legal fees, and if stolen, your insurance may not cover you for the loss.
This is not the only method you can become more sustainable, and financially better off:
- If you’re buying a new car – Make the green choice!
It has never been easier to buy an electric or hybrid car; both of which provide huge financial benefits and would make Greta smile (That is not a promise!). However, we realise that these are expensive options and unlikely to be for everybody, so the next couple of steps may be a little more attainable.
- Avoid speeding
It is common knowledge that exceeding the recommended speed can be both dangerous for you, as well as costlier.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has found that fuel efficiency drops dramatically for every 5mph you drive above 60mph – costing drivers around 24 cents for fuel– or 18 pence for us Brits.
- Travel lightly
Minimising your total weight inside the car, as well as outside will always help you to become more fuel-efficient. This does not mean throwing your mum out of the car; but do ensure that all your bulky items are left at home, instead of in your boot.
The less weight in the car, the less the engine has to work to get up to speed, it is that simple.
4) Plan your journey
Whether you choose the old-school map, use your mobile device, or invest in a Sat Nav; it is always the best advice to plan ahead. Methods to avoid lengthy routes or highly dense traffic areas can be calculated very simply if performed in advance.
→ What does this mean for you?
Aside from being sat in traffic for a vast part of your daily routine, you can go out, and experience all the world has to offer, safe with the knowledge that you’ve dodged the metaphorical ‘bullet’ which is congestion.
After all, time is money!
Plus, it will (hopefully) reduce the risk of you driving into a random farmer’s field.
5) Drive safely and smoothly
Sorry to sound like your mother, but drive with caution.
Avoiding braking hard, and excessive accelerations whilst you’re at the wheel; both of which can soon add up to a small fortune if driving without caution.
These actions waste energy in abundance and are easily avoidable for you as a driver, to ensure that you have a little more money in your wallet by the end of the month.
It is no secret that running the engine to its maximum will have an impact on its overall health and your overall cost.
So maybe swap your Drum and Bass for a soothing Michael Bublé melody.
→ What does this mean for you?
You will be serenaded by the sweet sound of Michael Bublé and might have to go home with all the money you have saved from this article and buy concert tickets (Sorry in advance).
Whatever it takes for you to drive in a smoother, safer manner.
Via: GIPHY
Now that we have provided you with these 5 essential pieces of advice for maintaining your vehicle (and saving money in the process), we hope that you will put these into practice, alongside the usual regular safety checks required.
Please remember:
- Check your tyre pressure
- Reduce Drag
- Make greener choices (i.e. Avoid speeding, Pack lightly)
- Plan your journey
- Drive safely and smoothly
Follow this advice to keep both your wallet and your vehicle healthy!
(Disclaimer: insurethebox cannot be held accountable for any emotional attachments formed with Michael Bublé).
*According to Commercial Vehicle Workshop Magazine whilst reporting on the effects of tyre pressure on product lifespan.