More Exciting Than a New Transmission...

Do you get a rush of adrenaline when you purchase gasoline? Can you barely suppress giggles of joy when your mechanic hands you the bill for a new transmission? Do you think an oil change is more exciting than puppies, fireworks, and Christmas combined? If you answered no to any of these questions, applaud yourself for sanity, and sit tight—there are some simple ways you can make car ownership a far more enjoyable experience.

The first way is easy—walk whenever possible; or run, if you’re late. You’ll feel better about that doughnut you had for lunch, help the environment, and avoid mileage on your car all in one go! Another option is public transit. Cache Valley has an award-winning bus system that is free of charge. Anyone near USU’s campus also has access to the Aggie Shuttle. Let’s face it, parking is a nightmare and booters are lurking around every dark corner. Why not avoid the hassle?

Next up, make sure your tires are inflated properly. Many gas stations offer free air, and a tire inflated to the right PSI actually gets better gas mileage. Better mileage means less money at the pump.

Although it feels good to pass that truck, excessive acceleration guzzles your gas faster. If you’re fancy enough to have a car with cruise control, flip that puppy on and be content not to "win" the race to your destination. Each car has a different optimal speed, but generally, anything over 60 mph starts reducing your miles per gallon.

Speaking of miles per gallon, another way to get more of them is to remove excess weight from your car. Kicking your passenger to the curb might be a bit harsh, but you may be lugging around all sorts of things you don’t need. Take out the fishing gear, the golf clubs, and the rock salt, and you’ll see your miles per gallon hike upward.

Have a car loan? Getting a tax return soon? By paying off your car loan early, you can save on the interest you would have paid to the bank. They’ll be just fine without your money. Just make sure there’s no prepayment penalty for early payments.

Lastly, just like you need regular doctor check-ups, so does your car. The poor thing spends every night out in the cold, takes you to work every day, and waits patiently while you grocery shop—the least you can do is give it some lovin’. Getting the oil changed regularly along with full-vehicle check-ups can catch problems before they explode in your face and save you money down the road.

So, as exhilarating as it may be to spend your bonus on a carbure-tor, there are plenty of ways to save on car expenses. Take a couple of these ideas and put that saved money toward something really exciting—like puppies, fireworks, and Christmas!