Having a car that works and will get you from point A to point B is a blessing, but keeping it running can get expensive over time. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to save Money while driving. Here are a few tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way to help you save money while driving, whether heading to work, the grocery store or on vacation.

Don’t Skip Your Tune Ups

Okay, while modern cars don’t need traditional tuneups like older models do — where they would replace the plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor to bring the ignition timing back to factory specs — that doesn’t mean your daily driver can’t benefit from some preventative maintenance. Check your fluids, change your oil and follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. Not only will this keep your engine running smoothly, but it will also save you a lot of money in the long run by keeping something vital — and expensive — from breaking down while you’re driving down the highway.

Stick to the Speed Limit

We all want to get places as fast as possible but lay off the accelerator if you want to save money while you drive. The Average Mpg Rating from the sticker on your window when you bought the car is the vehicle’s mileage at its optimal speed. For most cars, that’s 55mph. The faster you go, the worse your fuel economy becomes. At 70 miles an hour, you lose 17%. At 80mph, you lose 28%. Slow down, stick to the speed limit and you won’t spend as much time or money at the gas pump every week.

Calculate Your Fuel Consumption

That average MPG rating we spoke about a moment ago is just that — an average. It’s a good baseline, but it won’t tell you exactly how much fuel your car burns at a given time. Take a page out of the trucking industry’s book and learn how to calculate your car’s fuel consumption. With freight trucks, this calculation also includes the size and weight of the freight they haul. For a passenger, all you need to know is the size of your fuel tank and how far you can travel on a full tank. Take the second number, divide it by the first and you’ll have an accurate picture of your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If that number drops, it could be a sign of a problem affecting your fuel efficiency.

Hang On To Your Car For a While

If you bought your car at a dealership, chances are they’re already pressuring you to trade it in for something new within a couple of years of your purchase. This is a great tactic for salespeople, but it’s not so kind to your wallet. The cost of new cars goes up every year, and the value of your current vehicle depreciates in the same period of time. If you trade in your car every couple of years, you sell yourself short and lose money on each trade in.

Enjoy Your Savings

You don’t have to make big changes to save money while driving. Just lay off the accelerator, keep up with your maintenance and don’t trade your car in every couple of years, and you’ll enjoy your savings into the future.

Scott Huntington is a writer from central Pennsylvania. He enjoys working on his home and garden with his wife and 2 kids. Follow him on Twitter @SMHuntington