Practical Ways to Save Money on Gas
With the skyrocketing gas prices, sluggish economy, and threats of inflation, it’s important to cut costs in every aspect of daily life, especially if you’re on a budget. Gas is one of those things that you can’t compromise on: it gets you to work and back, to the grocery store, to the library—anywhere you need to go. While you may not be able to avoid using gas, there are ways to minimize your cost where car fuel is concerned. Just a few smart changes in your driving habits can improve your gas mileage—and your budget.
Reduce drag on your vehicle by using the air conditioning on the highway instead of rolling down the windows. The environmental factors regarding air conditioning are overshadowed by the fact that open windows prevent even air-flow over the body of your car, thus using more gas to get you from one location to the next. If you drive a pickup, put a cap on the back or put the tailgate down for a similar effect.
Keep your car in good condition. A tune-up makes your car run better and get better mileage. Plus, regular maintenance can prevent costlier problems down the road.
Many gas stations now have discount cards for members or gas discounts that reward you for a purchase of a car-wash or other services or products. Take advantage of these cards and discounts—even shop around for the best deals when you’re out and about. You might find that your grocery store does the same thing when you purchase from them by providing gas at a reduced price for card-holding members of their program. If you shop there anyway, or wouldn’t mind altering your grocery shopping habits, use these to your benefit and sign up!
Plan your trips. If the bank is on your way to work, stop only on your way. If you need aspirin at the local pharmacy, get it when you’re in town running errands. For groceries, buy in bulk for several days so you have to make fewer trips to the supermarket. The more you stay in one place, the more gas you save, right?
Reduce the weight in your vehicle. Keep it clean and remove anything excess that you might be carrying around—this might even include removable seats if you don’t need them for passengers. While you’re at it, make sure your tires are inflated. You want your car to work as efficiently as possible.
After a traffic light turns green, accelerate at a reasonable pace. When you accelerate quickly, this automatically burns more gas. For the best gas mileage, a steady 55 mph is recommended. This is what cars are tested at when they advertise how much gas they get to the mile.
These few simple tips should help reduce fuel usage and money spent. Try them a few at a time, or try all of them at once. You’re sure to start seeing the results.