Excite Autos
Advertisement
Autos Home Buy/Sell Research Insurance Car Care

LEARNLETS
How do I calculate a car's cost per mile or kilometer?
This calculation can help you choose among cars you're considering buying. It can also be a real eye-opener to realize how much it really costs to own a car. Start by writing down all the costs associated with the car over the time you have (or will) own it. Car costs include all the following:


  • Depreciation: cost of buying the car minus cost of selling the car

  • Auto loan interest, if any

  • Yearly insurance, taxes, and license fees

  • Extended warranty costs, if any

  • Maintenance and repairs: estimate maintenance costs using the maintenance schedule printed in the owner's manual and call your mechanic or dealership's service department for cost estimates

  • Cost of gas: divide total number of miles (kilometers) you plan to drive the car by the average miles per gallon (kilometers per liter); multiply this number by the price per gallon (liter) of gas

  • Tolls and parking for the life of the car

  • Cleaning products and accessories

Add these all up, and you'll have a rough but workable estimate of the total cost of owning the car over its life.

For the cost per mile or kilometer, divide this figure by the distance you expect to drive the car. You can calculate the total miles or kilometers by multiplying your estimated miles or kilometers per year by the number of years you think you'll own the car.



MORE LEARNLETS
Install Snow Chains
Troubleshoot Your Vehicle's Air Conditioner
Save Gas While Behind the Wheel
Improve Tire Traction in Winter
   More learnlets...

 Click here to email this page to a friend  

 OTHER 2TORIALS AND LEARNLETS
2torials:
Learnlets:
Autos
Travel
Business
Autos
Travel

 AUTO 2TORIALS
Prepare for Winter Driving
Put safer driving in your forecast with these helpful tips.
Parallel Park Your Car
If the spot fits, take it! Slip into the choicest space with these easy-to-follow instructions.
Change Your Oil
Safeguard your car’s health, and save the expense of a trip to the shop.
Repair Scratches and Rust Spots
Nip the vicious scratch-and-rust cycle in the bud.
Lease a Car
Navigate the in’s and out’s of this promising purchase alternative.
 More 2torials...

Advertisement