BY MAIY ELBERY

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The cost of owning and operating a car will increase up to $9,000 per year, according to AAA’s 2013 "Your Driving Costs" study.

The cost of driving will rise 1.96 percent in 2013 -- not in gasoline -- but in the maintenance of the vehicles. The AAA study showed that the average cost for car owners would jump 1.17 cents to 60.8 cents per mile, equaling to $9,122 per year.

“Many factors go into the cost calculation of owning and operating a vehicle,” John Neilsen, AAA’s Director of Automotive Engineering and Repairing said. “This year, changes in maintenance, fuel and insurance costs resulted in the increase to just over 60 cents a mile.”

The largest component of that total will come from maintaining a vehicle, MSN reports. It’s the largest percent increase of any category, growing by 11.3 percent to 4.97 cents per mile on average. The increase in maintenance costs rose in labor and parts charges for many models, as well as a hike in extended warranty policies due to high loss ratios by underwriters.

AAA’s study predicted fuel prices would only rise 1.93 percent equaling 14.45 cents per mile on average for sedan owners. According to MSN, the average cost of regular gas used by vehicles rose from $3.35 o $3.48 per gallon.

Insurance costs for a sedan owner are project to rise 2.76 percent, which equals $1029 for a total year. According to MSN, insurance rates vary drastically depending on the driver, driving record, issuing company and region. The study based its insurance cost estimates on a hypothetical driver with a clean driving record.

To figure out your own vehicle costs, AAA has a brochure that contains a worksheet to help you. Also you can read more on the topic, here.