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Six Ways to Save Gas
Home » Car Maintenance » Preventative Care » Six Ways to Save GasTen years ago, a gallon of gas cost just over seventy-five cents in many states. Today, many drivers pay four times that amount. Excessive gas usage not only costs you money, however, it harms the environment and it puts additional wear and tear on your car. Thus, it pays in more ways than one to reduce your gas consumption. Here are six easy ways to cut your consumption:
1. Check your tire pressure: Low tire pressure makes your tires drag, so you use more gas. Fill your tires to the level printed on the doorjamb of your car.
2. Lighten your load: It takes extra gas to move heavy loads so don't drive around town with fifty-pound suitcases in your trunk.
3. Turn off the A/C: Air conditioning makes your car work particularly hard and use more gas, so while you're driving in the city, roll down the windows and turn off the A/C. On the Interstate, however, it's better to use your air conditioning than it is to roll down your windows.
4. Reduce your outings: Nothing saves gas like not driving. Ride a bike, walk, or carpool when you can, and consolidate your errands when you can't.
5. Slow down: Fifty-five to sixty-five miles per hour is the ideal gas mileage speed, so don't drive seventy-five or eighty on the Interstate.
6. Avoid stop-and-go traffic: City traffic is horrible for your gas mileage. Go to work early or late so that you can avoid the traffic.
When you do buy gas, go for a cheap price, but don't drive out of your way to get it; you'll spend so much gas getting to the cheap station that you'll waste the four cents per gallon that you wanted to save. In addition, unless your car calls for it, don't put premium gas in your car. It doesn't actually help your car if your car doesn't need it.
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