By Cheryl Maguire

While car ownership is expensive, you can save thousands of dollars a year just by following some of these tips.

1. Make your own repairs. These days YouTube videos demonstrate how to perform all kinds of different car repairs and common maintenance work. Recently, I changed an air filter with the help of YouTube. It took me about five minutes. I used a generic filter instead of the factory one, and, between labor and materials, saved almost $100.

2. Close windows. Leaving windows open while driving on the highway causes air drag, which reduces mileage by 10 percent.

3. Change oil every 6,000 miles. When you get an oil change, most places put a sticker on your car to remind you to change your oil every 3,000 miles. However, many car manuals recommend changing oil every 6,000 miles. If this is what your manual advises, you can cut back on at least two or more oil changes a year—a savings of $40–$60.

4. Drive the speed limit. Getting a speeding ticket or into a car accident increases your car insurance rate for a number of years. Speeding also uses more gas.

5. Get adequate insurance. Insurance is expensive but cutting corners can cost more in the long run. Make sure to have enough coverage for car, home, medical, life, etc.

6. Use an electronic toll transponder. Using a toll transponder like FasTrak will save money, time, and gas. Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge costs 70 cents more for those without FasTrak ($8.40 vs. $7). It’s free to open a FasTrak account. (Go to bayareafastrak.org.)

7. Buy home & auto insurance together. Purchasing home and auto insurance from the same company can garner a 10–15 percent discount.

8. Raise insurance deductibles. Increasing insurance deductibles can yield as much as 15 percent in savings.

9. Ask for loyalty discounts. If you have been with the same car/home insurance company for more then six years, ask for a 10 percent loyalty discount.

10. Don’t go below ¼ tank. By keeping the gas tank at least a quarter full, it’s less likely you’ll run out of gas and more likely that the fuel pump will work efficiently and for a longer period of time. (It costs hundreds to replace the pump.)

11. Use cruise control. My husband uses cruise control every chance he gets. It helps him to drive the speed limit, which, in addition to preventing tickets, also uses less gas.

12. Get “diagnosed” for free. Did you know car parts stores diagnose problems for free? Even if you can’t make the repair yourself (see number 1), you can at least find out what the issue is and research repair costs to make sure mechanics charge the appropriate fees. Call at least three different reputable repair shops and ask for quotes. If a quote is high, state the price of the part and ask a staff member to explain the reasons for the fee.

13. The next time you buy a car, negotiate the price. It will save you thousands.

14. Don’t idle when waiting. Idling for ten minutes is the equivalent of driving five miles—it wastes gas and pollutes the air.

15. Shop around for the best gas price. Gas prices can vary as much as 10–20 cents per gallon at each station. Use the Gas Buddy app to find the lowest price in your area.

16. Check tire pressure. Making sure that tires are inflated at the pressure level indicated in the car manual can save more than $100 per year on gas.

17. Use A/C sparingly. Air conditioning uses up a lot of gas. When not on the highway, try to drive with the windows open, and park in shaded areas when possible.

18. Use credit cards and earn bonuses. Some credit card companies offer extra money or rewards for purchasing gas with their cards.

19. Use grocery rewards to get discounted gas. Some grocery stores reward shoppers with discounted gas. I’ve been able to save $1.50 per gallon—a $30 savings on a 20-gallon tank—just by purchasing food items I planned to buy anyway.

Find Cheryl Maguire on Twitter @CherylMaguire05.