Gas Saving Tips and Suggestions

Gas just seems to go up and up. What can we do about it? There is not much we can do about the prices we pay. But there is one thing we can do, and that is to squeeze every mile we can out of every gallon of gas we buy. There are a number of things we can do to keep our vehicles running in top shape and get the best mileage we can. Other ways are by changing the way we drive.

Tire Pressures

One thing we can do to stretch our gallon of gas is to check our tire pressures.

Low tire pressure will make the tires drag and use more gas. Look in your owners' manual and see what the recommended tire pressures are.

Keep Your Engine Tuned

Keeping your engine well tuned is another good way to stretch your gas dollar. An engine that grinds for ten seconds before firing up wastes enough gas to take you two miles. Maybe it's time for a new set of spark plugs and a new air filter. Now is a good time to go get them. Also have a mechanic check the timing.

Clean Out Your Trunk

Look in the trunk of your car. Excess weight uses gas. What ever you don't need in there, take it out and lighten the load. It will come back as extra miles per tank full.

Make Sure You Use The Correct Fuel

If your car uses regular gas don't waste money on buying premium, if you don't have to. You won't get any better mileage or performance and you'll just waste that extra ten or fifteen cents a gallon. Check your owner's manual to see if your engine does need premium.

Take Time Of Day Into Consideration

If possible avoid rush hour traffic. Sitting in stop and go traffic is the biggest waste of fuel there is. Try leaving home for work a little earlier. You'll avoid some traffic and impress your boss.

Cut Down On The Use Of The Air Conditioning

A/C takes about 8 horsepower to run and those horses eat gas. Our forefathers crossed a whole country without A/C, I think we can cross town without it. But, on a long trip on the open highway, it is better to use the A/C than to drive with the windows open. The extra drag of open windows on a vehicle can eat up more fuel than the A/C will.

Avoid Jackrabbit Starts

Start off smooth and accelerate easy to your cruising speed and maintain it. Use your cruise control if you have it to maintain a steady speed. Slow down a bit when you drive, the faster you go, the more fuel you use. When you go somewhere, leave 10 or 15 minutes earlier so you can go easy and save some fuel. Who knows, you might even notice things you never saw before when you were passing by at the higher speed.