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AAA Association Communication1000 AAA Drive, Heathrow, FL 32746-5063Contents may be reprinted in part orin their entirety with attribution.©AAA 2009 • Stock 2717 • Printed in USA
www.AAA.com • www.AAA.com/PublicAffairs
YourDrivingCosts
Behind the Numbers
AAA
is a federation of motor clubs serving more than51 million members in the United States and Canadathrough more than 1,100 offices.Founded in 1902, AAA is a not-for-profit, fullytaxpaying corporation. Its purpose is twofold: givemembers a full range of automotive and travel-relatedservices and promote the interests of motorists andtravelers through legislative andeducational activities. AAA has published
Your Driving Costs
since 1950. That year, drivinga car 10,000 miles cost 9 centsa mile, and gasoline sold for27 cents per gallon.
Methodology
Most costcalculations in this edition of
Your Driving Costs
are comparableto the 2008 version. However,revised U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency fuel-economyestimates intended to better reflect“real world” results establish new baselines for fuelcosts and overall average operating expenses in compar-ison with previous editions. The process used to estimateannual driving costs is proprietary to AAA. It incorporatesstandardized criteria designed to model the average AAA member’s use of a vehicle for personal transporta-tion over five years and 75,000 miles of ownership.The use of standardized criteria ensures AAA’sestimates are consistent when comparing driving costsof different vehicle makes and models. Actual drivingcosts will vary based on individual driving habits,location, operating conditions and other factors.Estimates are provided to help consumers makeinformed vehicle purchase decisions and budget forannual automotive expenses.
How muchare you reallypaying to drive?
2009 Edition
23
How Much Doesit Cost to Drive?
Following are average per-mile costs
as deter-mined by AAA and the composite average cost for threesize categories of sedans:
What’s Covered
AAA’s analysis covers vehicles
equipped withstandard and optional equipment including automatictransmission, air conditioning, power steering, antilockbrakes and cruise control, to name a few.
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Fuel
Fuel costs were based on $2.30 per gallon,the late-2008 U.S. price from AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report,www.FuelGaugeReport.com. Fuel mileage is based onEnvironmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratingsweighted 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving.
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Maintenance
Costs include retail parts andlabor for normal, routine maintenance as specified bythe vehicle manufacturer. They also include the price of a comprehensive extended warranty with one warrantyclaim deductible of $100 and other wear-and-tear itemsthat can be expected to require service during fiveyears of operating the vehicle. Sales tax is included ona national average basis.
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Tires
Costs are based on the price of one set of replacement tires of the same quality, size and rating asthose that came with the vehicle. Mounting, balancingand sales tax also are included.
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Insurance
AAA based its insurance costs ona full-coverage policy for a married 47-year-old malewith a good driving record, living in a small city andcommuting three to 10 miles daily to work. The policyincludes $100,000/$300,000 coverage with a $500deductible for collision and a $100 deductible forcomprehensive coverage.
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License, Registration and Taxes
Costs include all governmental taxes and fees payableat time of purchase, as well as fees due each yearto keep the vehicle licensed and registered. Costsare computed on a national average basis.
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Depreciation
Depreciation is based on thedifference between new-vehicle purchase price andestimated trade-in value at the end of five years.
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Finance
Costs are based on a five-year loan at6 percent interest with a 10 percent down payment. Theloan amount includes taxes and the first year’s licensefees, both computed on a national average basis.
* Detailed driving costs for small, medium and largesedans are provided on pages 6 and 7. Driving costsfor four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles and mini- vans are listed on page 8.
Though not part of the com- posite AAA average, SUV and minivan information isincluded to help buyers estimate operating costs forthose types of vehicles.Driving costs in each category are based on averagecosts for five top-selling 2008 models selected by AAA.By size category, they are:•
Small sedan
— Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus,Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.•
Medium sedan
— Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion,Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.•
Large sedan
— Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, FordTaurus, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon.Selected SUV models include Chevrolet TrailBlazer,Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, NissanPathfinder and Toyota 4Runner. Minivans includeChevrolet Uplander, Dodge Grand Caravan, KiaSedona, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.
AAA Average Costs Per Mile
miles per year10,00015,00020,000
small sedan55.0 cents42.1 cents35.4 centsmedium sedan70.2 cents 54.0 cents 45.5 centslarge sedan86.8 cents 65.8 cents 54.9 cents
compositeaverage *70.7 cents54.0 cents 45.3 cents
Gas Cost Per Mile
gallonscost*odometer
full tank8,85012.4$28.529,1369.5$21.859,35515.7$36.119,717
37.6$86.489,717- 8,850miles driven = 867miles per gallon: 867 ÷ 37.6 = 23.1 mpggas cost per mile: $86.48 ÷ 867 = 10 cents45x++++++
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To determine your driving costs accurately,
keep personal records on all the costs listed below.Use this worksheet to figure your total cost to drive:
When determining your annual driving costs, be sure to includeall vehicle-related expenses incurred during the year.
Annual Cost Per Mile
costsyearly totalsoperating costs
gas per miletotal miles driventotal gasmaintenancetires
total operating costsownership costs
depreciationinsurancetaxeslicense and registrationfinance charges
total ownership costsother costs
(washing, accessories, etc.)
total driving coststotal miles drivencost per mile
* cost per gallon $2.30
Figuring Your Costs
To figure your fuel cost,
begin with a full tankof fuel and write down the odometer reading. Each timeyou fill up, note the number of gallons, how much you pay and the odometer reading. These figures can thenbe used to calculate average miles per gallon and costof fuel per mile. For example:
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