How to Save Money as a Driver: From Car-Sharing to Car Rental Apps

Any driver knows that the costs of owning or driving a vehicle can quickly add up; from fuel and insurance, to repairs and general maintenance. Car driving can be expensive, but luckily there are plenty of things you can do to help you save money. Many of these changes are extremely easy to implement and the amounts saved can quickly add up!

If you’ve been feeling the pinch lately or simply want to make some savings where you can, see below for our top tips to save money as a driver.

Use a car rental service

Car rental companies like Carasti offer subscriptions via an app for your convenience and vehicles can be delivered to your door in just a few hours.

Car rental services are also flexible and you can choose to rent a car for a month, six months or more, depending on your needs. Most services include insurance, maintenance and 24/7 roadside assistance in one up-front fee so you’ll know exactly what you need to pay every month. If you don’t use a vehicle that regularly, or if you need a car on a short term basis, car subscriptions offer great value for money.

Car-sharing

If a subscription isn’t available in your area, you could try car sharing instead. Car sharing allows you to fill empty seats and split the costs, and it’s better for the environment too. You can car share with friends, family, workmates or even strangers by using a car sharing app or service.

Car sharing is safe, simple and very easy to do, plus you don’t even need to own a car. If you really want to cut costs, consider selling your vehicle and use a car sharing service to find people driving the same way.

Use a sat-nav

Sat-navs are great if you’re looking to drive more efficiently, plus you’ll save money on fuel wasted by getting lost! You can pick up a sat nav relatively cheaply nowadays, or make sure you have a smartphone holder if you plan on using your phone. You can be fined AED 800 and 4 black points if caught using a phone behind the wheel, but a phone holder can cost as little as AED 20.

Download a fuel price app

You can save hundreds a year by seeking out the cheapest fuel and one of the easiest ways to do this is with a fuel price app. Fuel apps allow you to compare prices at all petrol stations in your area and choose the cheapest fuel. The difference may only be a few pennies but this can quickly add up over a year!

Some cards also allow you to get 5% cashback on fuel purchases. There are a number of different cashback-card options available so shop around to find one that works for you.

Empty your boot

Empty the boot of unnecessary clutter – extra weight in a vehicle means more fuel consumption. This has a negative impact on your fuel economy and you’re likely to waste more money on petrol.

Think about what you actually need for each journey and take any unnecessary equipment out. Think about aerodynamics too – do you really need that roof rack, cycle rack or top box every time you drive? These items create more wind drag which means the engine has to work harder, again, using more fuel.

Choose the right vehicle

The vehicle you choose will depend on your budget and lifestyle but it’s important to consider your needs as a driver. There’s no point buying a huge 4×4 if you only use the car for shopping and the school run, so be practical about what would suit you best.

Fuel is an important consideration too and it can pay off to invest in an eco-friendly vehicle. This is more of a long term investment however, so if you don’t use your vehicle often you may be better off using a subscription app.

Stick to speed limits

Speeding isn’t just illegal and dangerous, it also has an effect on your fuel consumption. The faster you go, the more fuel you consume, so stick to the speed limits. On a motorway, just a 10 mile difference (e.g driving at 80mph instead of 70) can use up to 25% more fuel!

Maintaining a more consistent speed rather than constantly speeding up and decelerating also saves on petrol consumption, plus it’s safer for other drivers around you.

Upgrade your tyres

Cheaper tyres might seem like a good way to save money but research shows they often increase stopping distance and have a negative effect on handling. It’s worth investing in more expensive tyres if you want them to last longer and save money in the long run.

Haggle your car insurance

Car insurance is often a motorist’s biggest annual expense but you don’t have to accept the first quote you’re given. If you want to haggle, give your insurer a call before accepting your auto-renewal quote. It’s also a good idea to compare different insurers to see how your quote and benefits compare.

You should also consider the factors that might affect the cost of your premium, such as where you live, your age, driving experience and history of claims. Of course, you can’t change your age or experience but you could save money by storing your car in a garage overnight or reducing the amount of miles you drive.

Check your tyre pressure

This simple check can save you a lot of money in the long run and it’s easy to do yourself or at a garage. Tyres under inflated by 15psi – a difference you may not notice from a visual glance – can use 6% more fuel, costing you more money. Low tyre pressure also increases your vehicle’s drag which can make driving conditions more dangerous.

You can arrange for tyres to be inflated at a garage, or buy a pump and do it yourself to save even more money.

Drive carefully and consistently

As mentioned, speeding increases your fuel consumption, so drive carefully and consistently at all times. Overusing your brakes can also increase fuel consumption so maintain a steady distance from other drivers to avoid slamming on the brakes.

Braking hard and accelerating over speed bumps also uses a lot of fuel, so maintain a steady pace to improve your fuel economy.

Fill up your tank efficiently

Avoid driving with an almost empty tank wherever possible; driving with a small amount of fuel can cause damage to the fuel pump, as it has to work harder to access the petrol. You might be tempted to fill up your tank completely every time, but this could actually be costing you money too.

Fuel is heavy, so the more there is, the more your car will burn. Stick to a tank that’s half or three-quarters of the way full and your vehicle will run much more efficiently.

Save money as a driver with the car subscription app from Carasti

If you’re looking for great car lease deals in Dubai, download the car rental app from Carasti. We’re proud to offer extremely competitive car rental prices and each subscription includes insurance, servicing and maintenance, 24/7 breakdown cover and flexible vehicle options to suit your needs.

Choose from a month to month or mini lease subscription with a 12 to 24 month plan (some of these even include fuel!). We can deliver a vehicle to your door in as little as four hours and stock a wide range of top quality vehicles from brands including Toyota, Nissan, BMW and Porsche. Many cars are available with no down payment to pay and no paperwork, so download the app today or contact us to find out more.