With gasoline prices reaching record highs, saving just 10% on gasoline costs would feel like getting a raise in pay. Yet you can easily save 10% and much more by following a few common-sense tips.
Fill Up Before You’re Empty
When the needle hits E, you lose the luxury of filling up at your favorite economy station. You could end up paying 5% to 10% more if you’re stuck on the expensive side of town. Find the stations with the best prices on your normal driving routes, and keep your tank at least one-quarter full at all times. If you’re forced to pay robber-baron prices, only put enough in the tank to get you to a cheaper station.
Enjoy the Drive
Accelerating rapidly takes much more fuel than accelerating slowly. If you have to hit the brakes shortly thereafter, it’s like you’ve poured gas out on the pavement. Slower acceleration combined with earlier braking and coasting to stops can save 5% on fuel costs in town, and 25% or more on the highway.
Keep up on Maintenance
Dirty air filters, faulty emission-control equipment, and other delayed maintenance can add as much as 40% to your gas costs. If you calculate your gas mileage every tank, you’ll know when the mileage is going down and it’s time to see the mechanic.
To keep track of your gas mileage:
- Always fill your tank every time you buy gas.
- Reset your trip meter to zero after you fill up.
- When you fill up again, note your trip mileage and the number of gallons needed to fill your tank.
- Use the calculator function on your cell phone to divide the miles by the gallons.
- If the miles per gallon begins decreasing over several tanks, have your mechanic check your car.
Watch the Speed Limit
Every vehicle has an optimum speed for fuel efficiency. For most vehicles, it’s around 60 mph. Every 5 mph over the optimum speed is like paying $0.15 more per gallon.
Combine Trips
Running several errands in one trip not only saves miles, it saves miles per gallon. Shorter trips from a cold start use twice the gas as one trip with the engine warm, even if the mileage is the same.
Check your Tire Pressure
Under-inflated tires can cost you as much as $0.10 per gallon if your tire pressure is only 5 pounds low in all tires.
Unload your Car
Carrying unnecessary weight costs about $0.03 per gallon for every 100 lbs.
Avoid Idling
Turn off your engine if you’re not going anywhere.
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This article was originally published at Helium.com.
Used with the author’s permission.