Cars are an essential part of modern life, allowing people to go about their day-to-day living. With rising fuel costs and a slowing economy, families across the country are tightening the purse strings and becoming more conscious of general living expenses which can be reduced or avoided.

As the second largest motoring group in Australia, Tynan Motors have some insider tips to help you drive your motoring dollar further which is good for the environment and the bank balance.

Click here to plan your next Great Driving Adventure.

Avoid hard acceleration and braking
Flow with the traffic - smooth driving can reduce fuel consumption by up to 30%.

Watch your speed
By travelling at 90 km/h rather than 110km/h on multi-lane roads you can reduce fuel consumption by 10% or more.

Lighten the load
Remove things from your vehicle that add extra weight, which can reduce your fuel consumption by up to 5%. Roof-racks, bull bars, golf clubs or tool boxes all add extra weight, so store them in your garage and not your car.

Switch Off
If you're stuck in traffic for any length of time turn the key to the "accessory" position (not to "off") or for an automatic transmission shift to park. Vehicles fitted with engine-off as standard typically reduce fuel consumption in urban areas by up to 50%.

Open the windows
If the weather is fine switch off the air-conditioning and open the windows, this reduces fuel consumption by up to 10% in urban driving.

Service your car regularly
Take note of when your next service is and keep an eye on your odometer. A standard service will include having your air filters cleaned, if these are blocked it can increase fuel consumption significantly.

Keep all records
Having a complete service history for your car will mean a better sale price for the vehicle. Prospective buyers are interested in how well the vehicle has been maintained and not having this record can significantly reduce the value of the car. If possible, keep your car in a garage to protect the paint and interior from environmental conditions.

Wash and polish
Ensure your car is kept clean and well maintained inside. Worn carpet, cigarette burns, stains on upholstery or scratches on the paintwork can be used to negotiate down a sale price. When damage occurs, ensure you have it fixed straight away to avoid having to pay repair costs for multiple problems down the track.

Fix the chip to avoid a crack
The most common cause of windscreen damage is from stones thrown up by other moving vehicles especially on unsealed roads. Travel a reasonable distance from the car in front of you and pass oncoming cars at a normal speed when driving in regional areas. Repair any small windscreen cracks as soon as they happen; otherwise the crack will eventually spread across your entire windscreen and will need to be replaced. In most cases, repairing the crack when it occurs will avoid the cost of replacing the windscreen.

Shop smart
Many supermarkets offer customers a discount on fuel when they spend over a certain amount. Investigate what the best offers are at your local shopping centre and you can save every time you fill up.

For more information visit the Tynan Motors website.

For our list of the top Aussie driving holidays, check out Yahoo!7 Travel - Drive Holidays

Book your trip