Motoring costs rise at twice the rate of inflation

The AA today reported that the cost of motoring has risen by 5.8% in the last twelve months.
The bulk of this is made up by the rise in fuel prices.

According to the report  ''It now costs €11,817 to run a small family car in the 'Band C' tax category (typical engine size of 1251 – 1500cc) for a year; up by €646 on the figure for 2010.''

The full report is available here.

Some of the costs can be offset by driving more conservativly, click here for tips on reducing your fuel usage: http://irishmoneysavingtips.blogspot.com/2011/05/efficient-driving.html

FS

Efficient Driving

Altering your driving style will save you a lot of money. We all have bad habits behind the wheel but by making a few simple changes you could see your fuel consumption drop.

• Ensure that your tires are inflated to the correct pressure, check these once a week.
• Have your car serviced regularly
• Air conditioning uses a lot of energy,cut it out.
• Don't carry extra weight in your car, empty the boot of unnecessary items.
• Always select the highest safe gear when driving.
• Don't drive with your windows open, it creates drag.
• Drive defensively, anticipate the traffic ahead of you.
• Slow yourself using the gears, the foot break uses a lot of power.
• Bringing your car to a complete stop and moving off is very fuel intensive, better to simply coast and the traffic light might etc may clear by the time you reach it.
• If your car has an on board computer you will be able to see how your driving style affects the fuel economy, it will show the Miles Per Gallon/Litres per 100 Km.
• Select your route, going uphill uses a lot of fuel.
• Use cruise control if available for motorway driving.
• Remove outer items like roof boxes/racks.
• Turn off your engine if your likely to be stopped for 3+ minutes.
• Slow down, for every 5 mph above 60 mph (95 kph), your fuel efficiency reduces by 5%.

The ultimate way to save on petrol is to walk or take the bike for shorter journeys.

FS