Car costs

After seeing the tab for the holiday season's excesses, many consumers resolve to tidy up their finances. One place to start the year off right is with your automotive bills. A few simple steps can save hundreds of dollars, maybe more, while keeping your car running well. Here are areas where you can easily cut your car-related cash outlays.

Fuel is likely to be the biggest part of a car's day-to-day running costs.

• To find the cheapest gas in town, check websites such as GasBuddy.com and GasPriceWatch.com. You could save $0.40 to $0.80 per gallon. Smart-phone apps help you locate deals on the go.
• Don't spring for premium gas unless the owner's manual says you must. Most cars run just fine on regular fuel.
• Pay cash. In many places gasoline costs less per gallon if you pay with cash rather than with a credit or debit card.
• Quit carrying junk in the trunk. Extra weight hurts fuel economy.
• Remove roof-top carriers and racks when you aren't using them. They create fuel-robbing aerodynamic drag.
• Drive smoothly and minimize sudden starts and stops.
• If possible, leave for work before or after the rush-hour crunch so that you don't waste a lot of fuel sitting in stop-and-go traffic.
• Share rides. If you carpool to work twice per week, you and your companion can cut 20 percent from commuting costs. You could also team up for shopping trips.

If you haven't reviewed your coverage lately, do it now. You can save hundreds of dollars by switching carriers or modifying coverage.

• Shop online for the best deals. A local independent insurance agent might also offer competitive rates. See our buying guide to car insurance.
  
• Ask about discounts for a blemish-free driving record or a security system, or for taking a safe-driving course. A good credit score can also work in your favor.
• Consider raising your collision-coverage deductible to $1,000 or more to reduce your monthly premium. Just make sure you can absorb that out-of-pocket expense in the event of a crash.
• Consider dropping the collision and/or comprehensive coverage and pocketing the premium if your car's book value isn't much higher than its deductible or if you have
  the funds to replace the car if it's totaled.
• Buying auto and home policies from the same carrier also earns a discount.

A few phone calls can save hundreds of dollars for larger services.

• If you know that your car needs a routine repair such as a brake job, muffler, or timing belt, get an estimate by calling several local shops, service chains, and dealerships.
• Serviceable used parts can cost a fraction of what newer parts cost. But make sure your mechanic will guarantee the work performed using those parts. Buying parts online can
  also save you a bundle.

Fixing problems when you first notice them can save your car from catastrophic failures—and larger bills—down the road.

• Follow the service intervals in the owner's manual. There's probably no need to service the car more often than indicated.
• Check tire pressure regularly. Underinflated tires waste fuel and wear faster. See our buying guides to tire-pressure gauges and tires.
  
• Check newspapers and apps such as Groupon for specials on oil changes and other routine services.
• Have any fluid leaks serviced immediately, and tell a mechanic about any strange noises or smells as soon as you notice them. Fixing a leak might involve only new gaskets or hoses, but ignoring the warning signs could lead to major engine problems.
• Be wary of shops that want to do more maintenance than is called for in the owner's manual. Many shops suggest changing engine oil every 3,000 miles, for example, though the manual might stipulate 7,500 miles or more under normal driving conditions.

Buy a service manual and perform some tasks yourself. Chilton and Haynes manuals cost about $30. Minor repairs, such as replacing a radiator hose or thermostat, could recoup a manual's cost.