Save on Gas this Season
Gas prices are always fluctuating. Whether they’re up or down, you can always be vigilant in saving a little dough on gas. Besides, it’s always good to feel like you’re conserving on natural resources. Here are some gas-saving tips to get your further before your next pump.
Monitor your tires. We’ve mentioned this before, but proper tire alignment can help your vehicle get better gas mileage. Check the tire inflation as well. Under inflated tires can also waste fuel by making your engine work harder. The more resistance you have on your moving parts, the more resistance your engine has to compensate for. Do your engine a favor and keep your tires running smoothly. Maximum performance tires can also reduce your miles per gallon. They’re stickier to grip the road but they also require more inertia to do so.
Remove excess weight. Seems like a no brainer, but we tend to accumulate random items in our cars. When’s the last time that you checked the trunk? Better yet, when’s the last time you use the trunk for something because it wasn’t chock full of junk already. Check your cab and your trunk, and remove everything but the necessities.
Consolidate how many trips you take. If you need to run some errands, try to do so with a little trips as possible. Plan out your day and coordinate with your route. There’s always a way to save yourself an extra trip or two a week. That’s enough to save you quite a few MPG. If able, go when the traffic is light to reduce on stop and go situations as well.
Avoid idling. If you’re waiting on a friend or family member, shut off the car while you wait to save on gas. You never know how long they’re going to make you wait. It’s likely that it’ll be longer than you expected or hoped.
Follow speed limits. Speeding is not only dangerous, but it also decreases your miles per gallon. Most cars get their best fuel mileage between 40 and 60 MPH. Once you approach 60 MPH your fuel economy goes way down. Driving fast also increases wind resistance which can drag down your MPG.
Try not to compete at the stoplight. A sudden increase in your acceleration guzzles gas. Resist the urge to get a head start when the light turns green. Increasing your speed gradually will also increase your miles per gallon.
Know when to use your AC and when to lower the windows. When highway driving, keep your windows shut to reduce on drag and go ahead and turn on that sweet air conditioner. Turn the AC off when you find yourself in stop and go traffic.
Use cruise control. Keeping your vehicle precisely at the speed limit for the duration of the posted speed will help you get the best out of your tank. Speeding up and slowing down idly will actually burn more fuel.
Use the correct fuel for your vehicle. If your vehicle calls for premium, fill her up! Don’t skimp and use regular. You’ll get better fuel economy if you’re filling up with the recommended fuel.
Keep it tuned up. When your engine is working at peak efficiency, it gets better gas mileage. Get your engine tuned up regularly according to your vehicle’s service manual. While getting tuned up, have your favorite mechanic check your tires, alignment and suspension as well. These all contribute to better gas mileage.
These tips will not only save you on gas, but will also prolong the life of your engine.