Vehicle costs
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Use a bicycle for local trips that do not require a full-sized vehicle.
It saves you from making many local trips that don't need the bulk of a car.
one person who lived it
Consider selling a car that is rarely used if it feels like a money drain.
It can be a money drain.
one person who lived it
If you lose access to a car in a city like Los Angeles, try switching to a bicycle; it may simplify life.
One person found their life became much easier after being forced to switch.
one person who lived it
Build a relationship with your car and maintain it well rather than frequently buying cheap replacements.
Cars treated with care tend to last longer and provide better long-term value.
one person who lived it
Seek employment that does not require driving to save on commuting costs.
It reduces gas and wear-and-tear expenses.
one person who lived it
Do not feel obligated to drive friends who do not own cars.
It is your car, not theirs, and you do not owe people anything.
one person who lived it
Swap out entire worn parts from a junkyard instead of repairing individual components like bearings.
You don't need specialized tools like a bearing press.
- Requires access to a junkyard.
one person who lived it
Use a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts according to your vehicle's specific specs rather than an impact wrench.
Over tightening causes issues.
one person who lived it
Dress warmly in layers suitable for skiing or snowboarding to stay comfortable while biking in winter.
You will stay warm since you are exercising.
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Choose a plug-in hybrid or battery EV over a standard hybrid if your goal is significant fuel cost reduction.
Fuel savings from non-plug-in hybrids are minimal (a rounding error), whereas PHEVs/BEVs allow covering daily usage on electricity charged overnight.
one person who lived it
Use electric cars primarily for city driving to get the most from efficiency through regenerative braking and lack of idling.
Electric motors recoup energy from braking and do not waste fuel idling, unlike gasoline engines which struggle in stop-and-go traffic.
one person who lived it
Use a bike rack on your car to combine driving and biking for your commute.
It eliminates time pressure and prevents arriving at work sweaty.
one person who lived it
Do not buy a car if you cannot afford the insurance costs.
Insurance rates can make even inexpensive cars unaffordable.
one person who lived it
Perform oil changes every 5000 to 7500 miles instead of every 2000 miles.
A 2000-mile interval is overkill for most modern cars.
one person who lived it
Include depreciation and opportunity costs in your calculation of vehicle ownership.
Most people fail to include these costs, even when paying cash.
one person who lived it
Consider selling your car if you live close to work in a city with good transit to save approximately $300 per month.
one person who lived it
Avoid buying new cars; let someone else take the initial depreciation hit by purchasing used.
Depreciation kills you financially.
one person who lived it
Do not skimp on safety features for family vehicles, even if it means paying more.
one person who lived it
Factor in parking, tickets, and general maintenance when comparing car versus transit costs.
Without these factors, the comparison is not valid.
one person who lived it
Look for manufacturer promotions where dealerships receive direct reimbursements to lower the purchase price.
Dealerships may get reimbursement from manufacturers directly.
one person who lived it
Use online diagnostic tools or devices to read engine codes before visiting a mechanic to avoid unnecessary expensive repairs.
It can identify specific issues like a faulty sensor rather than assuming major problems like transmission failure.
one person who lived it
Factor in unreimbursed lost personal time when calculating if public transportation is truly more affordable than driving.
Public transportation is rarely more affordable when tallying in lost personal time that nobody reimburses you for.
one person who lived it
Keep tires properly inflated and use synthetic oil to maintain peak fuel efficiency.
Keeping the car in top running shape with proper tire pressure, synthetic oil, and air filters maximizes efficiency.
one person who lived it
Look for utility company rebates on EV chargers and consider self-installation if you have the qualifications to save on labor costs.
one person who lived it
Recognize that carbon footprint quizzes may be designed to trick consumers into blaming themselves rather than corporations.
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Avoid letting dependency on motor vehicles control your life choices.
one person who lived it