Save Money by Saving Gas
With gas prices continuing to soar, everyone is looking for ways to save money.
There are many gas-saving devices or additives that claim they increase gas mileage. Unfortunately, however, according to experts about 95% of these products don't stand up to the claims they make.
One of the most effective methods that has been shown to save money on gas is called "hypermiling", which essentially means to get the most out of each gallon by changing some of the driving behaviors that waste gas. These strategies include maintaining your vehicle in top operating shape and maximizing fuel efficiency.
In addition to helping you save money on gas in the short term, it will also help your vehicle to last longer.
Here are some strategies to help you save money on gas:
1. Maintain your car. How often do you change your car oil? For most cars, you need to change the oil every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, whichever comes first. Follow the manufacturer guidelines for oil changes and tune-ups. Doing so will ensure optimal engine performance and maintain better fuel efficiency.
2. Check your tires and make sure they are at the correct air pressure. Yes, we all know this, but when was the last time you checked your tire pressure? Having the right amount of air in your tires will increase your gas mileage. In fact, under-inflation can reduce your gas mileage by up to 15% (not to mention unnecessary wear on your tires). Check the car's manual for the correct air pressure.
3. Preventing is better than Repairing. Don't wait until something is wrong with your vehicle. A leaking fuel injector, clogged air filter, or an old oxygen sensor won't prevent your vehicle from operating. However, it will increase the amount of fuel you car uses. It is more cost effective to repair or replace these items in order to save you money in the long run.
4. Maintaining constant speed while driving uses less fuel. Being a "lead foot" uses more fuel than necessary. Avoid flooring it when the light turns green. Rather, accelerate at a moderate rate. Also, driving aggressively can lower your gas mileage significantly, by as much as 33 percent!
5. Slow down! Fuel efficiency increases when you drive the speed limit or even a few miles per hour lower. For example, driving 65 mph instead of 75 mph may lower gas mileage by 10 percent.
6. Avoid rush hour if you can. Stop and go traffic is terrible for gas mileage. If you can adjust your work hours and commute when traffic is lighter, you will save gas. This will be less stressful on you too.
7. If possible, consider reducing the number of trips you make:
- Carpooling to work and for your children's activities whenever possible.
- Scheduling errands and other outings so you aren't covering the same ground over and over again. This will require planning, but it's well worth the effort.
8. Clean out the trunk and clear the roof. The extra weight can reduce gas mileage by 5 percent.
9. Don't bother to top off the tank when you are fueling. When the sensor stops the pump, just stop. Those extra little drops of gas will end up sloshing out of your car and going to waste. Seriously. Topping it off doesn't produce anything and just wastes fuel.
10. Monitor your gas mileage to see what works for your vehicle. Here is how to monitor your mileage:
- Fill up your gas tank.
- Set your odometer to zero.
- Drive around for a few days to a week
- Fill up again and note how many gallons you used to fill up.
- Divide the number of miles you traveled by the number of gallons you used. This will be your gas mileage.
- Implement hypermiling strategies and repeat the steps above to note your gas mileage improvement.
The strategies described above are proven methods that can help you reduce your gas consumption. Simply changing your driving habits and proper car maintenance can help you save a significant amount of money on gas.