Running a car costs far more than the price on the sticker. Fuel every week, an oil change every few months, a flat battery on a cold morning and the occasional tow all add up across a year of driving. For anyone who drives regularly, fuel rewards for members and discounts on routine car care can take a noticeable bite out of those costs without changing how you get around.
This guide looks at where the money goes when you own a car and which member offers help at each point, from the gas pump to the service bay and the side of the road.
Where Your Driving Budget Goes
| Running cost | Member offer | What members get |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Shell Fuel Rewards | At least 5¢ off per gallon on fill-ups at participating Shell stations |
| Fuel and car washes | Exxon Mobil Rewards+ | Extra points on fuel and store purchases, double points on fuel on member days |
| Oil changes and servicing | Valvoline Instant Oil Change | 15% off oil changes and other preventive services |
| Breakdowns | Allstate Roadside | Up to 20% off annual roadside membership fees |
| Driving skills and insurance | Smart Driver Course | A reduced course fee, with a possible auto insurance discount after completion |
Saving at the Pump
Shell Fuel Rewards
Members who link their accounts get complimentary Gold Status in the Shell Fuel Rewards program, which takes at least 5¢ off per gallon at participating Shell stations, on up to 20 gallons per fill-up. New Fuel Rewards members also receive a one-time saving on their first fill-up. Join or sign in to Fuel Rewards, link it to your membership, then enter your phone number and PIN at the pump.
Exxon Mobil Rewards+
Linking your membership number to an Exxon Mobil Rewards+ account earns extra points on fuel, car washes and convenience store items, with double points on fuel on member days. New Rewards+ members get a 500-point welcome bonus after their first fill-up, and every 100 points equals $1 in savings on fuel, car washes or store items. Use the app, or your phone number and PIN, at the pump.
Many drivers pass both brands on a normal week, so linking both programs means a saving wherever you happen to fill up.
Keeping the Car in Good Shape
Valvoline Instant Oil Change
Members save 15% on drive-thru, stay-in-your-car oil changes, and each oil change includes a free 18-point maintenance check. The same saving applies to other preventive services such as radiator, transmission and differential services, along with air filter and wiper blade replacements. Batteries and state inspections are not included, and the offer is not available in Alaska, Hawaii or Vermont. Show your membership card, or the coupon from the Valvoline website, when you pay.
Help When Something Goes Wrong
Allstate Roadside
Members save up to 20% on annual membership fees for Allstate Roadside plans. Plans cover help such as towing, jump-starts, tire changes, lockout assistance and fuel delivery, and they can be used around the clock in any car you drive, including rented and borrowed ones. Enter or mention your membership number when enrolling online or by phone.
Driving With Confidence
Smart Driver Course
The Smart Driver Course is a driver safety course, and members pay a reduced fee to take it. It can be taken online at your own pace or in a classroom. Completing it may make you eligible for an auto insurance discount, so it is worth asking your insurer how the course is treated before you sign up.
A Year-Round Car Care Routine
- Every fill-up: use your linked rewards account so the saving or points are never missed.
- Every few months: book an oil change and let the free maintenance check flag anything that needs attention.
- Before winter: ask about wiper blades and other preventive services while the car is in for its oil change.
- Before a long trip: make sure your roadside plan is active, since it covers any car you drive.
- Once every few years: take the Smart Driver Course and check with your insurer about a discount.
Final Thoughts
A car is one of the biggest ongoing costs in most households, but the everyday expenses are also the easiest to trim. Link your fuel rewards, keep up with routine servicing and have roadside help in place before you need it. With car maintenance savings working in the background, every mile costs a little less.
Become a member of AARP and these fuel and car care savings apply to every mile you drive. Heading out on a longer drive soon? BlogsBuddy has road-trip reading to go with it.