A financial tool that estimates the impact of making additional payments on a vehicular debt. It allows borrowers to determine how early and by how much they can shorten the loan term and reduce the total interest paid. For instance, if a borrower has a $20,000 loan with a 6% interest rate over 60 months, the calculator shows how adding an extra $100 per month affects the payoff date and total interest compared to the original schedule.
The availability of such calculations empowers borrowers by providing a clear understanding of the financial advantages gained through proactive debt management. Historically, understanding these effects required complex manual calculations or reliance on bank-provided amortization schedules. The advent of these digital tools significantly democratizes financial planning, allowing informed decision-making regarding repayment strategies.