Driving a car is great; it can bring us freedom, fun, excitement, and more. However, it can be a huge drain on our finances, and in some cases, we can even end up wasting money on it. Below are a few pointers that should help you to stop wasting money on your car once and for all. Take a look and see what you can implement into your routine.

Learn How To Do Basic Maintenance

Taking your car to a garage can mean getting a good job done every time, but it can also mean spending way more than you need to. As a minimum, you could end up spending $70 per hour on labour costs alone. You can definitely learn how to do basic maintenance yourself, what with the plethora of articles and free videos online that could help you. Try changing your own wiper blades to start with, for example. You can also put air into the tyres and rotate your tyres, clean your car yourself, and more as you build up your confidence. Just bear in mind that if it’s something a little more technical, you should take it to a pro. If you buy cheap parts or do a half job, it could be very dangerous.

Drive Sensibly

You might think that you drive sensibly already, but your driving technique could actually be costing you money. If you accelerate or brake too sharply, you’ll be wasting fuel and causing unnecessary wear and tear on your car. Cruising at 80km/h in a high gear can help you to save fuel and avoid putting a strain on your car. Making sure you drive with care will mean you can avoid sharp braking, too.

Find Ways To Reduce Your Car Insurance

Reducing your car insurance should also be a concern of yours if you’re going to save big bucks. Looking at a Blackbox My Car dash cam can help you to prove that you are a safe driver and some auto insurance companies even offer rebates if you install a dash cam. By making sure you’re the only person on your insurance and protecting your no claims bonuses, you can save even further. Make sure you look out for better deals before your renewal is up each year too.

Don’t Ignore Your Repair Lights

It’s all too easy to ignore your dash warning lights and just hope they’ll go away on their own and just hope they’ll go away on their own. Sure, it could be something minor, but it could also be the start of a significant problem. Ignoring it could mean it gets much worse and you end up spending a lot more than you would have initially. It’s always better to catch an issue early on and get it checked out just to be sure. There are apps you can use that will diagnose an issue for you so that you don’t end up taking your car to the garage for something minor!

Have you been wasting money on your car? It’s not too late to do something about it. Start using the advice outlined above and you should find that you save a substantial amount of money, whatever car you have and however much you drive it. Happy driving!

When it comes to rites of passage, buying your first car is still a big one; and when you are making a significant decision of this magnitude, it is not something that you will want to rush into. Like anything in life, you are much more likely to achieve success if you have done proper planning and preparation. There is plenty that you need to keep in mind before you head out to look around car showrooms. In this blog post, we will share with you a few top tips for success which are designed to simplify this process and make it feel just a little bit less daunting.

Assess Your Needs First

Before you do anything else, you should work out what your needs are. If you are driving a car mainly by yourself and you don’t have to travel on any difficult terrains, do you really need to invest in a 4×4? Similarly, if you need to transport a family around with you, it is unlikely that a sports car is really going to fit your priorities well at all. If you don’t know what your needs are in the first place, you are much more likely to drive away a car which simply isn’t right for you.

Set Yourself a Budget

The next step that you need to take is to set a budget to determine exactly how much you have to set aside to spend on your car. Remember that the expenses of a car can go far beyond that bottom line figure and that include maintenance, fuel, repairs, tax, and Insurance. Are you planning on financing the car yourself or are you looking at other options such as loans for car finance guarantor? Once you have your budget firmly in mind, make sure that you aren’t talked into upping your budget by a pushy car salesperson.

Look Far and Wide
Unlike the olden days that have gone by, you are no longer limited in your car search of going to the nearest car showroom and accepting whatever deal the car salesperson has to offer. The internet is an invaluable tool which allows you to research numerous makes and models, as well as the prices that you can expect for each and every one of them. The quality of used cars has also increased significantly, and there are plenty of second-hand car showrooms which offer certain assurances when it comes to the checks that they have had to go through. You can also get a number of different quotes so that you can be more certain on the price which is right for you.

Take a Test Drive

While you may have seen a car which looks perfect on paper or on a web screen, you will never get a proper feel of it until you actually take it out for a spin. Not only will you get a better idea of exactly how it performs, but you will also get a fuller impression of how you feel behind the wheel. And if you try out multiple cars, you can compare and contrast to determine which one is best for you. If possible, you should try to test drive all the cars that you are looking at on the same day so that can get the best idea of which one suits your needs a driving style best.

Compare and Contrast the Data

As the way you feel when you’re behind the wheel is more of an emotional response, it is also important to get your scientific head on so that you can analyse some of the facts and figures. So, if you are planning on investing in a brand new car, this revolves around getting the very best price possible. Don’t be swayed by all the ‘extras’ which are thrown into the equation. Salespeople are trying to encourage you to make a snap decision rather than one which is based on logic and sound reasoning. On the other hand, if you are looking at used vehicles, you should be comparing the miles on the clock, accident reports, internal and external condition etc. Make sure that you ask plenty of questions and don’t go through with the deal unless you are entirely satisfied that each and every one of them has been answered thoroughly.

Negotiate the Sale Price

Negotiation is a central aspect of buying a new or used car. Both the car salesperson and yourself should expect some back and forth to take place and if you are not comfortable doing the negotiation yourself, you could always look into bringing someone along with you. If you can’t reach an acceptable agreement with the seller, walk away. Remember, you are not the one who is under pressure here. There are numerous other car retailers who would be more than happy to accept your business. Of course, you still need to be realistic in the price that you are trying to achieve. As long as you have done sufficient research, the negotiation process shouldn’t be an uphill task for you.

Following the top tips above might help you out significantly when you make your first car purchase. Not only will you be able to find the vehicle that is just right for your needs, but you will also get the right price for it. Ultimately, your best course of action is to take your time and not be rushed into making a decision which is simply not right for you. Remember that you still have all the other associated costs of owning a car to deal with once you drive it home!

And it was all going so well. You began your journey and your car was trundling along just fine. Then disaster happened. The smell of burning, the sight of smoke from under your bonnet, your dashboard flashing with more lights than a Christmas tree… your heart sank as you realised your car was no longer safe to drive, and being the driver you are, you pulled over to consider your next move.

Well, that’s what we hope you would do. When there are signs that your car is in trouble, you do need to stop driving as soon as it is safe to do so. While there are car repairs you can do yourself and the issue may not be as dangerous (or as expensive) as you may think, it’s still wise to call in the professionals to get to the bottom of things. The last thing you should do is to continue driving hoping that all will go well, as you may well make things worse, for you and your car.

Here are some of the danger signs you should look out for when driving.

If there are signs of burning, such as the sight of smoke or the smell of burning, your senses are alerting you to a problem somewhere within your vehicle. For those burning smells, it could be something as simple as dripped oil on your exhaust or too much dust and debris in your heater system. Alternatively, it could be an electrical short or an issue with the brakes. If the burning smell persists after a couple of basic checks, pull over. And as for smoke, it depends on where it is coming from. Black smoke coming from your exhaust may mean your engine is burning too much fuel. This may be an issue with your air filter, so an air filter cleaner may alleviate the issue. If there is smoke coming from under the hood, then the engine may be overheating. In any case, check the source, and if in doubt, call for a breakdown service.

If your car starts to handle differently, then there could be any number of reasons. One of your tyres may have blown, or the wheel may have become loose. There could be a fluid leak within your power steering, or your suspension may have given way. It might even be an issue on the road, with ice or uneven surfaces. For the latter, you at least have the knowledge that your car is okay, but you should still proceed with caution. For anything else, you need to examine your car, put on your spare wheel if needed, or call for help if you are unsure of the problem.

If there are lights on your dashboard lit up, then you need to check your manual. There is also a handy guide here to let you know what each light means. While some don’t require immediate action; there are others, such as your temperature or oil light, that require you to do something about the problem quickly. For the oil light, add more oil (obviously), and for the temperature light, pull over and give your engine an opportunity to cool down. If the light remains on for a prolonged period, call for assistance.

Safety is your number one priority on the road, for your sake and that of other road users. If there are danger signs while driving, don’t take any risks. Pull over, check your vehicle, and if necessary, call for help before driving. You know it makes sense, and despite the expense and inconvenience, you and your car will benefit in the long run if you make an effort to resolve any issues before getting behind the wheel again.

When you’re without a car, you look at all the fun journeys and convenience that drivers have and feel a tinge of jealousy. When you finally get a car, you know that everything you were feeling about a car – all the good points – were correct. But soon, you’ll begin to notice that owning a vehicle isn’t all fun, fun, fun. In fact, it’s very far from that. There are some inherent downsides that drivers have to contend with. Below, we take a look at five of them. They won’t make you long for your days without a car but may make you think about using your legs every now and then.

Getting from A to B

It would be pleasurable beyond words if once you purchased a car, it was “all inclusive.” That is, there were no other expenses to deal with, as is the case with most other things we buy. Alas, not the case. If you want to use your car (and who doesn’t), then you’ll have to dedicate a fair amount of your income to keep it running on the road. Gas can be expensive, and if you’re using your car on a daily basis, the costs will quickly add up. Try to keep that MPG down – see https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/factors.shtml for information on how – and your tank of gas will go further.

More Traffic

It’s all good and well that you have a vehicle, but so does everyone else. The rate of car ownership has grown exponentially over the past few decades, but there hasn’t been the corresponding growth in roads. And that means that traffic can be a nightmare, especially in urban areas. If you’re spending more time sitting in traffic, then look at changing the times you drive – you can have the roads to yourself, more or less, if you avoid the rush hour.

Reckless Drivers

You are most likely a safe driver. In fact, most people are. But it doesn’t take much for accidents to occur – just one dangerous driver is enough to cause an accident. You can’t change the way they drive, but you can limit your chances of an accident by making sure you’re driving carefully and are giving dangerous drivers enough space. If you are involved in an accident, you can visit https://emrochandkilduff.com/virginia-auto-accident-lawyer/ and fight for financial compensation. There’s always a risk of injury when you’re on the roads.

Maintenance and Repairs

You’d like to think that if you spend a gigantic sum on something, that it’s going to last a long time. But cars are different. You’ll have to contend with nagging repairs and maintenance if you’re going to keep your vehicle in good condition.  

Car Envy

Finally, there’s car envy. You’ll be happy with your car for a while, but sooner or later you’ll begin to look at other cars and think “that would be nice to have.” Try to avoid keeping up with other people’s purchases because it’ll cost you a fortune!

No-one wants to imagine it but the stats are clear; every single driver is likely to get into at least one accident in their lifetime. You should do all you can to prevent it, but how you handle the aftermath is just as important. Here are the steps you need to take to ensure your wellbeing after a road accident.

Ensure Your Safety First

Checking yourself for serious injuries will naturally be your first priority. Don’t neglect to check in on your passengers, and as well as anyone else involved in the accident. You can be held legally responsible for not providing care to someone who has been injured, so every driver should learn emergency first aid and have a first aid kit at the ready. Do your due diligence long after you’ve left the scene as well. Talk to your doctor and keep a close eye on your condition in the next few days, and as well as the condition of anyone else who was in your car. Even if you don’t see any injuries, there can be some health issues hidden under the surface.

Call the Essentials

Once you have ensured that everyone is safe, you have to call the emergency services. Again, if you fail to do so, you could be held accountable by the law. If the accident wasn’t your fault and someone has been injured, you may want to seek legal help to ensure you’re being held responsible. Following that, it’s wise to call a family member so that they are aware of the situation and can provide help. Don’t leave the scene just yet.

Survey the Scene

If you anticipate an insurance battle or potential legal action, then the more evidence you can get in your favour, the better. If someone has witnessed the accident, you can ask them to give you their contact details to back up your side of the story. Furthermore, you should take as many photos of the incident as possible. They may prove the evidence that you weren’t in the wrong, especially if you’re worried that any other drivers involved will leave the scene.

Get in Touch with Your Insurance Company

You have to report to your insurance providers, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. Otherwise, if you’re trying to claim off the other driver’s insurance, they can use that lack of contact against you. Exchange insurance and contact details with other drivers if possible and if everyone is safe. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you when talking to them, keep it strictly business. Don’t let your nerves and your desire to smooth over the situation take control. You may feel like admitting fault or apologising even if it isn’t your fault and that can come back to get in the way of a claim. Of course, getting angry or hostile can be just as bad for you.

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, following the tips above can ensure that any health risks are kept to a minimum or that you’re not held fully responsible for something that wasn’t your fault. It’s important to memorise this now so that you can act effectively when the time comes.