WORKING out how much your car costs you to run annually is a daunting task; most of us just don’t like to think about how much money we put into our vehicles. There often seems to be a never ending list of things that need to be paid for when you own a car.

But don’t despair drivers, all is not lost. Recent studies have shown that going green on your motor can be a great way to cut down the costs of owning a car. Here’s a few tips on how to manage your motoring budget (and be a little bit nicer to Mother Earth…)

Saving on insurance

It may seem like a bit of a no-brainer, but driving carefully will not only keep you out of the mechanics, but it could also help to make a dent in your annual car costs.

Being safety-conscious will protect your wallet from speeding fines and also directly impact your insurance costs – a safer driver is a safer investment. Also, with the Government’s new green initiative on driving, there is no vehicle tax to be paid on electric cars, and you’ll even get a subsidy when you buy one!  Going green has never been so appealing.

Cut down on fuel costs

The easiest way to cut down on fuel costs can be found in your glove box – read the manual.

Admit it, how many of us actually read the handbook that comes with the car?

Not many I’m sure. However, you could be missing out on juicy money saving titbits by ignoring the manufacturers’ advice. Through a simple scan of your manual, you could find tips on adjusting your fuel usage when features such as cruise control are used.

You’ll also find simple information such as how far you can roll your window down before it starts costing you more in fuel.

When it comes to choosing fuel, alternatives like biodiesel allow an engine to run off of natural, renewable fuel sources like plant or animal oils. These oils, like peanut or vegetable oil, have to undergo some processing to turn their fat into energy an engine can use, but once they do, they can power a regular diesel engine.