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Tips for Saving Gas
Date: May 23, 2007
Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts

Rising gas prices are affecting all of us. This week we are discussing some techniques you can use to help save gas. Some of these may be obvious, but they are probably worth repeating and will hopefully save you some money.

Purchasing Gas:

– Use non-brand name gas. Most non-brand name gas stations use the exact same product as the brand names.

– Use the correct grade of gas. Premium grade is not always the best for your car. Find out what grade is recommended by the manufacturer of your car and use the lowest grade at or above the recommended grade.

– Don’t top off. Studies have shown that the “top off” usually remains in the hose or is lost to evaporation.

Car Maintenance:

– Check the tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4% for every 1 psi drop in pressure. This can save you up to $.08 per gallon.

– Change the air filter regularly. This is an inexpensive way to improve your gas mileage by as much as 10%, or a savings up to $.25 per gallon.

– Keep your car tuned. Fixing a car that is out of tune can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent. If your car has a faulty oxygen sensor, your gas mileage may improve as much as 40 percent or a savings of $.08-$.80 per gallon.

– Use the recommended grade of motor oil. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2%, a savings of about $.03-$.06 per gallon, by using the recommended grade of motor oil.

Driving:

– Avoid sudden stops and acceleration. Rapid acceleration and braking burns more fuel and is harder on your vehicle.

– Minimize air conditioning use. When possible use the vents to bring in outside air, unless driving at highway speeds. At those speeds it is better to turn on the air and close the windows.

– Drive the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas.

– Avoid excessive idling. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait. Instead of idling at a drive-up window, park the car and go in. Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine.

– Combine errands. 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.

– Avoid carrying unneeded heavy items. An extra 100 lbs in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by 1-2 percent.

Traveling:

– Use the cruise control. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

– Use the overdrive gears. When you use overdrive, your car’s engine speed goes down and saves gas.

– Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your gas mileage by 10%.

– Keep items in the vehicle. A loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5%.

© SeniorDiscounts

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