5 Ways to Save Money on Driving This Year (2023)

With running costs seemingly higher than ever, we could all use a little guidance on how to save money on driving this year.

Everything from fuel consumption to our driving habits can have an impact on how much we end up spending on our cars.

Read on and learn 5 ways you can save money on driving in 2023, so that you can stay within your budget.

Page Contents

You Should Buy Supermarket Fuel
You Should Stick to the Speed Limit
You Should Wash Your Own Car
You Should Watch Out For Warning Signs
You Should Consider a Pre-MOT Check

You Should Buy Supermarket Fuel

Chances are, fuel will be one of your biggest monthly expenses. Generally speaking, supermarket fuel will be cheaper than other branded options, whilst still conforming to the same British Standard.

There are slight differences between the fuel types, but supermarket fuel should not be any less effective as it is designed to work with every engine. Bear in mind that filling up at a motorway forecourt could be more expensive, so avoid doing this where possible.

When it comes to saving money, make sure that you don’t accidentally top up with the wrong fuel for your car type. Putting petrol in a diesel car or diesel in a petrol car could lead to a costly fuel filter replacement - so it certainly pays to double-check before filling up.

You Should Stick to the Speed Limit

Driving above the speed limit can increase your fuel consumption, leading to more money being spent on fuel in the long run. You should also know that heavy braking and harsh acceleration can have a knock on effect on fuel consumption.

By driving sensibly and maintaining an awareness of other drivers, you can improve fuel efficiency. Even small changes in speed can increase your car’s fuel consumption significantly, so try and drive at a steady pace. Remember to slow down naturally when you approach junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights.

What’s more, did you know that driving in the highest possible gear for the speed you are travelling at can increase your fuel economy?

When you accelerate at low rpm or in a gear that is too high, you could unintentionally be forcing the engine to work harder to keep up. As long as you stick within the speed limit, driving in a higher gear can be more economical.

If you have been found speeding in the past, then a speed awareness course could be especially useful. This can help you improve your driving style, and reduce the likelihood that you will incur further costly fines.

Speaking of fines, it may be worth appealing any parking tickets that you think you have been unfairly issued.

You Should Wash Your Own Car

If you take your car to a car wash, then you could be spending upwards of £10 a visit. Over the course of a year, this certainly adds up.

Have you ever wondered whether it’s pointless to wash your car if it’s just going to rain anyway?

Regular car washing can actually help to protect the paint on your vehicle. Though, of course, it is probably more fun to wash your car on a warm and sunny day.

You Should Watch Out For Warning Signs

New sounds, sights and smells can tell you a lot about the health of your car. One of the best ways to save money on driving is to be aware of subtle changes in your vehicle’s behaviour which could in turn lead to expensive repairs and replacements.

You may have noticed that your brakes sound like they are squeaking, which could indicate a bigger fault within the system.

A creaking suspension can be a sign that you need to apply grease or lubricant. On the other hand, it could suggest that parts of the suspension may have worn out, in which case you may need to have your shock absorbers replaced.

A rattling sound when your vehicle is running could point towards an issue with your exhaust. If you notice smoke coming from your exhaust, or that fuel or oil seem to be leaking from this component, then there could be an issue with your spark plugs.

Pay attention to your car’s dashboard warning lights and you might just avert a costly breakdown.

At the first sign of trouble, be sure to act fast so that the problem doesn’t cause further damage to other related components.

You Should Consider a Pre-MOT Check

Better yet, why not keep up a regular maintenance schedule that helps you avoid these problems altogether?

There are several small checks you can perform yourself, all of which can help to keep your vehicle in good shape for longer.

You can check that your tyres are properly inflated with no signs of unusual wear on the tread. Tyre issues are actually one of the biggest causes of MOT failure, so it is worth taking care of your car's tyres as best you can.

You can also inspect your windscreen for cracks or chips bigger than 40mm, which can similarly lead to a failed MOT. If your windscreen wipers are splitting or your wash feed is blocked then this will need to be fixed before the MOT test.

You can inspect your car's oil levels - when parked on even ground - by removing the dipstick from the engine and giving it a wipe. Place it back in the engine and then remove it once more - the oil level should be between the minimum and maximum lines.

You could perform these checks as a part of a pre-MOT check, which can in turn help you to save money by helping your vehicle pass its MOT.

If you would rather that a professional garage takes care of this for you, then you can easily book a pre-MOT check alongside your MOT test with an excellent garage near you.