Mercedes-Benz 5 important things that will save you money on car running costs
With the recent slump in petrol prices, most consumers are certainly making the most of the decrease in crude oil costs. As more motorists around the UK benefit from cost savings and inevitably contribute to higher national fuel consumption, it is only logical that car maintenance inevitably becomes a more important consideration for the majority.
We have therefore compiled a helpful list to help you save more on regular vehicle expenses and keep running costs to a minimum.
- Shop around
Quiet possibly one of the more straightforward items on this list, particularly given the ease of accessing the best deals on the Internet. Despite this, many consumers often opt for auto renewal policies when selecting breakdown cover for example, and this can often lead to significant cost premiums in the place of cheaper alternatives.
The above isn’t just an idle scenario either; this can apply to a variety of contexts such as insurance quotes and selecting maintenance workshops. A quick Internet search through your preferred search engine can also reveal a collection of cost saving calculators designed to aid your understanding of your monthly/ annual expenses.
- Re-evaluate your insurance cover
Having selected the appropriate cover for your vehicle, there are a few factors that you may wish to consider that will likely lower the premium for your quote. For instance, parking your vehicle on a driveway and having it fitted with an appropriate alarm system or immobiliser will drive down the cost of your insurance (later Mercedes-Benz models are already equipped with immobiliser technologies).
Where financial considerations are concerned, opting to pay for your insurance on an annual basis can help you avoid any interest rates associated with monthly payments. You may also consider inspecting the contents of your cover to ensure that you aren’t paying extra for options (e.g. breakdown cover) that you don’t necessarily require.
- Regularly check tyre pressure
It’s no revelation the negative effect that worn out tyres can have on the performance of your vehicle as well as fuel economy. This is another area that Motorists often overlook, and can affect other components within your vehicles transmission, which will likely result in more costly maintenance requirements in the long term.
For Mercedes-Benz owners, fitting of manufacturer spec tyres is critical for achieving optimal fuel economy driving comfort, therefore it is advisable to select the premium tyres as they guarantee long term cost savings and running efficiency. Regular inspection of the tyre pressure is a must; Haden recommends that these checks be performed every two weeks to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.
- Drive smart
Where motorist’s driving styles are concerned, there are a variety of factors that are ultimately decisive of fuel economy and maintenance requirements.
If your routes usually cover shorter distances within the city, then a petrol-powered vehicle is better suited to your needs, as they are cheaper to purchase and the effects of owning a diesel engine will be less visible. For longer distances, consider making the switch to a diesel-powered car.
Generally, it is recommended that you should utilise the accelerator gently, and to not overuse beyond what is necessary. Changing to higher gears whilst avoiding harsh acceleration will ensure optimal fuel economy when driving.
As fuel prices usually fluctuate, finding the best deal can sometimes become troublesome if you aren’t searching in the right places. A quick Internet search should reveal a comparison of the associated cost of each station in your area.
With larger super markets enticing customers through loyalty schemes, it is often worth doing the math to see how much you really are saving.
5. Invest in servicing
Whilst it may seem that opting to perform maintenance tasks on your vehicle is the best route to take when trying to save money, performing maintenance work without the provision of manufacturer equipment and diagnostics equipment can overlook other affected components within your vehicle’s assembly.
Opting to service your vehicle at recommended intervals (usually 12 months for a major service or 6 months for an interim service) will help save you money as opposed to only meeting the minimum standards for each component.
As your vehicle depreciates its important to keep in mind the substantial decrease in value over time, and opting out of regular maintenance will actually increase the rate at which your vehicle depreciates. Through regular servicing, your vehicle will perform optimally and return greater fuel economy, and will be more attractive to prospective purchasers when you decide to switch.
Have some tips of your own for saving on vehicle running costs? Leave a comment below.
