Gas Saving Tips
Gas prices go up and down, seemingly at a whim. The predictions on where prices are going are often wrong. One thing is for certain: we all need to save on gas, even with more fuel-efficient cars on the road.
Calculate how much you drive. Obviously, the less you drive the more you save on gas. Here are some steps to help you save money at the pump.
Make a log of one week’s worth of driving for everyone, then discuss it in a family meeting. You may be surprised at the number of little trips that can be combined or are unnecessary.
Evaluate how you drive. Sudden acceleration, heavy loads, high speeds and air conditioning all impact gas mileage. There are lots of places to get driving tips that will save on gas such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website.
Watch gas prices from one day of the week to the next. In some places, gas goes up before a weekend or holiday. If this happens in your area, fill the tank a few days before the price jumps.
Shop around. Discount gas stations can be much cheaper. There are national and local websites that keep track of prices and direct you to the least expensive ones
Save with coupons and credit cards. Gas coupons are not as easy to come by as they used to be, but some retailers offer points programs. Some gas companies will issue credit cards that allow rewards or savings after a certain amount of money is spent.
Fill gas cans from home when the price is down. Gasoline does not last forever, so use the contents of gas cans to fill the tank when prices are up. Even one cheaper tank is better than none!
Remember fuel efficiency when shopping on AutoFerret.com for a new car. The bigger the engine, the bigger the guzzler. Look at fuel efficiency ratings. The savings on gas may be worth the extra money for a hybrid.
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June 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Also, an often overlooked way to save gas is the keep your car maintained! So many people overlook proper car maintenance. Make sure your tire pressure is always to the car manufacturer’s suggestion, your oil is changed and oil filter replaced regularly, and even replacing the air filter. Make sure you get the correct grade of motor oil, as that affects performance.
Once you have your car up to speed, make sure you don’t have any extra weight in the trunk, or scattered throughout other places in your car. Things like bike and ski racks can also create drag and make your car work harder than it has to. July? I don’t think you need a ski rack on top of your car!
The best way to save on gas? Stop driving so much!
June 15th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
You have quite a few good pieces of advice in your article here, I will have to try to remember these things when I drive! An extra tip is drive more slowly, it may be a little annoying at first but it does end up saving you some money in the long run. In addition, I can’t stress enough how much walking instead of driving on short local trips can benefit you; not only does it save you money on gas but it is good for your health as well.
Another idea is to consider purchasing a vehicle with manual transmission, those vehicles use a lot less gas than cars with automatic transmission.
June 16th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Great advice. Another i have heard is to buy gasoline during the coolest time of the day. Early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind though gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to “volume of measurement”.
June 16th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Much needed article in our current times. I have 10 tips I started to live by for saving gas.
1. Slow down
2. Check your tire pressure- Under-inflated tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of crummy MPG.
3. Check your air filter- A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy.
4. Accelerate with care- Jack-rabbit starts are an obvious fuel-waster
5. Hang with the trucks
6. Get back to nature - Consider shutting off the air conditioner
7. Back off the bling
8. Clean out your car- doesn’t take much to acquire an extra 40 or 50 lbs. of stuff, and the more weight your car has to lug around, the more fuel it burns.
9. Downsize
10. Don’t drive