As the price of gas remains unstable, many people are looking for ways to cut costs. Implementing or changing a few driving habits can help lower gas expenses.
Drive Resourcefully
Driving resourcefully to cut down on gas expenses. This means no speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, or quick acceleration changes. Assertive driving can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 8 percent around town. Another way to drive resourcefully is by following the speed limit. The higher the speed, the more gas mileage decreases.
Transporting cargo also lowers fuel economy. Likewise, getting rid of excess weight by removing unnecessary items from your vehicle can increase your MPG. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked to avoid unnecessary idling. Finally, use your cruise control when on the highway. Cruise control helps maintain a uniform speed, and in most cases will save gas.
Maintain your Vehicle
Make sure you get regular tune-ups and recommended maintenance on your vehicle to keep it in good condition and running smoothly. Making repairs such as replacing faulty oxygen sensors and fuel system parts will improve your mileage. Get your tires rotated and balanced at the proper time intervals and keep them properly inflated to improve gas mileage. Having under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage.
The recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle is there for a reason. Sure you may save a few dollars by going with cheaper oil, but in the long run it will even out when you start losing gas mileage quicker, and have to fill your gas tank sooner. So go ahead and pay a little more for the correct motor oil. Check your air filters and regularly replace them to keep your car well maintained. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
When buying a new car do research on the gas mileage for your vehicle of choice. Picking a fuel economy vehicle is just as essential as any other consideration you may have in your car decision. Pay attention to how many MPG the vehicle gets.
Strategize
Planning out trips and driving routes help save not only on gas but time as well. Also, Combine errands instead of taking several short trips. Commuting can also be part of the planning process to save money on gas. Changing your work hours to avoid rush hour traffic, working from home, participating in carpools, and using public transportation are all great ways to cut down on gas expenses.
There are many websites that offer information on where to find the cheapest gas prices in your area. Take advantage of those sites and also consider gas reward cards. Use smart phone apps to check the traffic before leaving the house so that you can plan the quickest and less stressful way to get to your destination. It may be tempting to get gas at a certain station because of the convenient location. However, gas is more expensive at certain locations. Explore and research other stations for cheaper gas. Furthermore, there is no reason to just habitually go with premium gas. Using the more expensive gas is not always required. Most car engines do not require high octane though the manual will say it’s recommended.
