Deciding whether to buy a new or used car is a unique and personal experience. Some people may be buying a car for their very first time. That can be an exciting, yet nerve-racking, event. Others may be seasoned car buyers who understand the process and want to make their purchase as quickly and efficiently as possible.

No matter what type of situation you may be in, it’s essential that you always understand what you want in a car before you go shopping. You should consider the make and model, the safety features, mileage, and the car’s fuel efficiency.

Buying a fuel-efficient car is a right decision for your budget and the environment. You will have the option to pay much less at the pump, while also reducing your family’s carbon footprint at the same time.

As with any major purchase, there are a few things that you should keep in mind before you decide to purchase a fuel-efficient car.

 

1. Do Your Research

Don’t merely rely on the information in that trending news article or your co-worker’s opinion on which fuel-efficient vehicle is the best, do your research and find out for yourself. There are several websites where you can compare different makes and models of cars based on their safety rating and fuel-efficiency rating. We recommend a website like J.D. power.com to start.

 

2. Choose a Car that Will Suit Your Daily Needs and Allow You to Feel Comfortable

Fuel-efficiency may be the biggest factor influencing your decision, but you also have to consider your other preferences. These factors can include the make and model, body style, standard features, safety rating, and seating capacity. How the make and model of the car will affect your current auto insurance rates is another factor that you should research in advance.

You should also think about how you plan to use the car on a daily basis. Will you use it to commute to work or school each day? Or will it be more of a recreational vehicle to use on the weekends?

Consider your personal preferences when looking for the best fuel-efficient car so that you will be delighted with your new car purchase.

 

3. Choose a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle that is The Right Size

The seating capacity and cargo space in your new car will be just as important to you as the overall fuel efficiency, especially when you are packing for that long road trip or going grocery shopping for those bulk items. If you have a big family, you don’t want to pay out for a new car only to have everyone feel cramped. At the same time, if you don’t need all that extra space, there’s no reason to pay extra for it.

 

4. Consider Purchasing a Hybrid Car

When considering a Hybrid car, your initial thought may be that it is out of your price range, or that it would be far too advanced for your taste. However, Hybrids are quickly growing in popularity. In 2007 there were more than 350,000 drivers who purchased either a Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid or a Honda Civic Hybrid.

Because these gas/electric cars make it possible for us to save on fuel, they are now at the top of the list of fuel-efficient vehicles. You may pay a little more up front for one of these high-tech vehicles, but you will save plenty of money on fuel over time.

 

5. Consider Switching to Low-Resistance Tires

The tires that come with your new car upon purchase are largely chosen based on what the majority of consumers want. If you are looking for more fuel-efficient options, you should switch those wheels out with tires that have low-resistance. Tires that have lower rolling resistance will impact your mile-per-gallon spending.

Just decreasing rolling resistance by 20% could help raise your mileage by as much as 5%. And regardless of what type of tire you use, remember that proper inflation will help with fuel-efficiency as well. For every three pounds that are below the recommended tire pressure, your car’s fuel economy rating goes down by 1%.

 

Get the Facts About Buying Car Insurance for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles from Protective Agency

To learn more about insuring your new fuel-efficient vehicle, contact our team at www.protectiveagency.com or call  (877) 739-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.