Critical Gas Saving Tips for Your Vehicle
With gas prices increasing over 60 cents since January, it's no surprise that many of us are looking for creative ways to reduce our fuel consumption and get better gas mileage. Instead of driving around town till you're running on fumes and searching for the cheapest gas stations try one or more of these resourceful gas saving tips below.
1. Use your cruise control. It improves your gas mileage by maintaining a consistent speed. Try not to tap your brakes excessively or accelerate quickly once the light turns green. According to Edmunds.com, using this technique could save you up to 14% on your gas mileage.
2. Get rid of any extra weight inside your vehicle. The heavier the car, the more energy it requires to run. For every extra 100 pounds you eliminate carrying around in your car, you improve your gas mileage by as much as 2%. So take out the golf clubs, hockey equipment; anything that you're NOT using. Also, if your car is a newer model SUV you can remove that third row of seats you barely ever use.
3. Drive the speed limit. Not only will you reduce your chances of getting an incredibly expensive traffic ticket but you also improve your gas mileage. On long trips the slower you drive the more you save, up to 14%. So instead of driving like a maniac, buzzing by people at 70 to 80 miles an hour on the freeway cut it back to 55 or 60 mph.
4. Reduce idle time. Sitting at lights, in traffic and drive-throughs are lowering your gas mileage. Avoiding excessive idle time, Edmunds.com says you can save yourself up to 19%. If you are going to be sitting any longer than a minute turn off your engine to save the most money. Don't use the "Drive-Through"! Park and walk to get whatever it is you need.
5. Download Apps to help. Gas Buddy is an app the helps users find the cheapest gas stations in over 243 cities across the United States (also tracks Canadian fuel stations). The information is compiled based on users reports and the more reports you submit the higher your chances are at winning prizes like a free tank of gas. You can also check out Bankrate.com's gas mileage calculator to help determine if it is worth saving three or four cents a gallon by driving to a cheaper gas station a mile or two away.
6. Keep up the maintenance on your car. Make sure the tires are filled up, your filters are clean and your car's in top shape. The harder your engine has to work the less energy efficient it becomes. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by 10%. Under inflated tires can reduce your efficiency by almost 3% and will need to be replaced 15% sooner than properly inflated tires. A worn spark plug can reduce a car engine's fuel efficiency by 30%! The U.S. Department of Energy asserts that getting a tune up or fixing up a car that has failed an emissions test can improve gas mileage by about 4%.
7. Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.
8. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to meet your needs with a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible. Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 lbs. in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by 1-2%.
Bottom line: Improve your car's fuel economy is to change your driving habits. Drive a little slower, plan your trips, maintain your speed, reduce the weight (maybe yours too), and keep your car in tip top shape to improve your car's overall fuel economy, up to 37%. If you combine several of the tips above you will save serious money. That's advice you can take all the way to the bank!
1. Use your cruise control. It improves your gas mileage by maintaining a consistent speed. Try not to tap your brakes excessively or accelerate quickly once the light turns green. According to Edmunds.com, using this technique could save you up to 14% on your gas mileage.
2. Get rid of any extra weight inside your vehicle. The heavier the car, the more energy it requires to run. For every extra 100 pounds you eliminate carrying around in your car, you improve your gas mileage by as much as 2%. So take out the golf clubs, hockey equipment; anything that you're NOT using. Also, if your car is a newer model SUV you can remove that third row of seats you barely ever use.
3. Drive the speed limit. Not only will you reduce your chances of getting an incredibly expensive traffic ticket but you also improve your gas mileage. On long trips the slower you drive the more you save, up to 14%. So instead of driving like a maniac, buzzing by people at 70 to 80 miles an hour on the freeway cut it back to 55 or 60 mph.
4. Reduce idle time. Sitting at lights, in traffic and drive-throughs are lowering your gas mileage. Avoiding excessive idle time, Edmunds.com says you can save yourself up to 19%. If you are going to be sitting any longer than a minute turn off your engine to save the most money. Don't use the "Drive-Through"! Park and walk to get whatever it is you need.
5. Download Apps to help. Gas Buddy is an app the helps users find the cheapest gas stations in over 243 cities across the United States (also tracks Canadian fuel stations). The information is compiled based on users reports and the more reports you submit the higher your chances are at winning prizes like a free tank of gas. You can also check out Bankrate.com's gas mileage calculator to help determine if it is worth saving three or four cents a gallon by driving to a cheaper gas station a mile or two away.
6. Keep up the maintenance on your car. Make sure the tires are filled up, your filters are clean and your car's in top shape. The harder your engine has to work the less energy efficient it becomes. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by 10%. Under inflated tires can reduce your efficiency by almost 3% and will need to be replaced 15% sooner than properly inflated tires. A worn spark plug can reduce a car engine's fuel efficiency by 30%! The U.S. Department of Energy asserts that getting a tune up or fixing up a car that has failed an emissions test can improve gas mileage by about 4%.
7. Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel.
8. A roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to meet your needs with a smaller car. However, a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible. Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 lbs. in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by 1-2%.
Bottom line: Improve your car's fuel economy is to change your driving habits. Drive a little slower, plan your trips, maintain your speed, reduce the weight (maybe yours too), and keep your car in tip top shape to improve your car's overall fuel economy, up to 37%. If you combine several of the tips above you will save serious money. That's advice you can take all the way to the bank!
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