With all the extra expenses we incur over the holiday months, one we can control is our gas mileage. Although we have no control over gas prices, we do have control over the way we drive, which affects the amount of gas we use. Drive using these techniques and save fuel:
- Fill Er’ Up – Instead of making several trips to the pump throughout the week, make one stop and fill up with gas. This will eliminate extra miles you are driving just to put $5 or $10 in your tank.
- Under Pressure – Under-inflated tires will cost you in good gas mileage as well. According to FuelEconomy.gov, “Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires.” Make sure to check your tires as the weather chills to compensate for this slow loss of air pressure.
- Don’t “Top Off” – Gasoline needs room to expand in your tank. So, even though you can add more gas once the pump clicks off when your tank is full, it doesn’t mean you should. Give your gas the room it needs so that it can expand to give you the best benefit.
- To Idle or Not to Idle – This is an age-old question and the answer has actually changed over the years. We grew up being told it was best to warm up the engine before we started driving. That may be true for older model cars, especially if you want the inside to be warm and toasty. Todays modern and more efficient vehicles don’t need to be treated with such coddling. They are made to be ready to roll within 10 seconds of startup, so unless you just want to warm up the inside, you don’t need to crank and let them idle. In doing so, you are in effect, burning gas but going nowhere.
- Drive a “Gas Saver” - The best way to ensure you are getting the best gas mileage possible is to drive a fuel-efficient car. Car lots are full of modern vehicles which are more fuel efficient than ever. You don’t have to buy electric or even hybrid to ensure your saving money on gasoline. Other types of vehicles, like SUV’s and Minivans, bank more than 30 miles per gallon. So, if you are considering buying a car to maximize its fuel efficiency, get out there on the lots! You will be pleasantly surprised at all the options that will help you save your hard-earned dollars.
Regardless of how much or how little you drive, you should be mindful of how much money you spend getting you from place to place. Hopefully, you will put these tips into practice and spend less money at the pump.
