Anyone who drives knows that some dilemmas, eventually, are faced by all motorists. What is the best fuel option for the car? What is the correct tire calibration to avoid increasing the gasoline consumption? Are there intelligent and efficient ways to save money during daily use?
After all, any saving is always welcome, especially when it can be done with small and easy to incorporate changes in the daily routine. That is why, today, who shares some valuable tips to avoid unnecessary expenses is Barbara Brier, from “Oficina Amiga da Mulher” (woman-friendly workshop), and partner RIO. Take a look:
Learn how to save with the car on a daily basis
Unfortunately, there is no recipe or magic formula to cut spending in half or anything like that: a vehicle is, indeed, a recurring source of spending and investment. But keep in mind that all these efforts ensure the safety of everyone in the vehicle, from the driver to the passengers, and the certainty that everything will always be working as it is supposed to. However, some practices, little by little, might help you to save some money with your car on a monthly basis. Check out:
1- Keep the car’s inspections up to date
The first rule is probably the most basic of all: keep the car’s maintenance up to date. It may seem obvious, but many drivers forget that their car needs professional attention from time to time. So check the car’s manual and verify the next date or mileage recommended for oil and filter changes, always checking against the data on the panel.
Remember that, in order to avoid further damage and unpleasant surprises for your pocket, it is very important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the maintenance of the car, including when changing fluids and filters. After all, a dirty air filter is enough for the air and fuel mixture to be compromised, reducing the engine’s performance.
2- Consider a preventive maintenance routine
If you like the feeling of going months without looking for a mechanic, know that you may be the victim of a false impression of saving. It may not seem, but by neglecting preventive maintenance, each visit to the mechanical workshop, after noticing faults in the vehicle, will be certainly costing more than expected.
That’s because preventive maintenance serves exactly to predict problems in the car and solve them before they become a risk to your safety and your pocket. All parts have a specific life span and show symptoms when they are wearing out. Thus, by performing preventive maintenance and changing these parts at the correct time, you avoid the risk of some component stopping once for all and being left in the lurch due to a mechanical breakdown!
3- Pick the right fuel
In flex-fuel cars, generally, what weighs the most while choosing the fuel is the price. In the same engine, alcohol consumption is, on average, 30% higher than gasoline consumption. In order to find out which one of them is cheaper when filling up the tank, there is a simple calculation: multiply the value of the gasoline by 0.7. If the result is lower than the price of ethanol, it is worth opting for gasoline. If it is higher, ethanol is more advantageous.
Here, the best alternative is always to do the calculation by yourself and follow the performance of the vehicle in your hands. This way you can feel in practice which one of them works better in your engine and, later, calculate the cost-benefit with the fuel of the gas station or the region you refuel your tank.
4- Attention to the tires!
To get an idea of the results that the tire care causes in the fuel consumption of the vehicle, only the calibration of this part can have an impact that goes from 4% to 20% in the energy expenditure of the car! So a good tip is to check the pressure at least once a month.
That’s because, in practice, most tires in good condition lose 0.15 bars of pressure every 30 days. Oh, and make sure you do this when they are cold, as the temperature also affects the volume of air in the chambers. Calibrate your car tires according to the manufacturer’s recommendation and ensure that the wheels are properly aligned.
So, did you like the tips? Well, you should know that our social networks are full of exclusive contents just like this, always with strong partners bringing useful and exclusive information! Follow us here on the blog, on our YouTube channel and count on RIO while choosing the best and most efficient automotive spare parts on the market!
