The cost of running a car will far exceed its value by the time you trade it in and get a new one. Yet it’s not something most people consider when they buy a new ride. When you combine the cost of gas, maintenance, insurance and everything else you need to run a car properly, it ends up costing you an absolute fortune. But there are some smart ways of reducing the cost of driving, which we’re going to take a look at today. Let’s get started right away.

Pay for maintenance

A service once a year might cost you money in the short-term, but in the long-term, it will save you a lot of money. The tighter your car is tuned, the more efficiently it will run – it’s that simple. And it also ensures that you spot small issues that could develop into serious – and expensive – car trouble, and get them fixed sooner rather than later, and for a lot less cash.

Regular tweaks

Some of the best ways of improving the performance in the efficiency of your car are incredibly cheap, too. Changing the oil you use, and investing in better spark plugs than the standard ones fitted in your current care are a couple of good examples. It’s something you can do yourself, too, even if you have no experience of auto mechanics. Take a look online, and you’ll find a whole bunch of guides and advice on how to swap out and make little changes in your car that can make a big difference in your driving efficiency.

Sort out your wheels

It’s worth investing in new tires for your car, as they can significantly improve its efficiency. You don’t have to spend a fortune, of course, but even a basic upgrade can make a huge difference. That said, if you do a lot of driving over rough roads, it’s worth going that little bit further – a set of WORX wheels can be beneficial if you live down an off-road track, although less useful if you only drive in a city. If you can’t afford to upgrade, don’t panic – you can still save money with your tires. Make sure you keep them inflated to the recommended pressure and keep an eye out for wearing.

Sort out your driving

Of course, you can make all these little changes to your car, but ultimately, the biggest issue with your car is your driving. Keep aware of the road ahead at all times, and stop using your brakes so hard – you are effectively burning money when this happens. Drive calmly, be conservative, and avoid accelerating too fast – it puts tremendous pressure on your mechanical parts and increases the likelihood of breaking down. Slow and steady definitely wins the race when it comes to running an efficient car!

Pay attention

Finally, pay attention to the roads and watch out for hazards lying ahead of you. It sounds obvious, but potholes, animals, big dips in poor-quality roads can all cause severe damage to your car if you aren’t careful. Tire damage, towing charges, hospital bills and an increase in your insurance premiums will be a common result. Check out the Land Rover Defender that could suit your interest.