Tips to Save Gas

So, we are all a little touchy about the price of gas these days, and there is no relief from these skyrocketing costs in sight. Americans already are driving less and taking public transportation more often. What else can be done to preserve the ever shrinking dollar in your budget?

Drive More Moderately

Yes, mom was right. Avoid jackrabbit starts and slamming on the brakes to achieve the maximum output from your engine’s fuel consumption. Kick it back a little in the fast lane, too. Most cars reach peak fuel efficiency in the neighborhood of 65 miles per hour. Check your owner’s manual.

Maintain Your Car

Mom was right on this one, too! Keep your tires inflated properly and change the oil regularly. If you have a loose bumper or body kit, it could be creating extra drag and not helping you to increase your gas mileage. Keep the tailgate intact and up on a pickup truck for the same reason. Since your owner’s manual already is out checking out peak fuel efficiency, brush up on what the manufacturer suggests to keep your car in tip top shape.

Skip The Air Conditioning

There is enough data out there to suggest using the A/C can slash gas mileage by as much as 20%. Yikes! Bring your bottled water and roll the window down.

No Idling!

Idling is bad. Turn off your engine when your car is just sitting. You not only save fuel, but also help the environment by not releasing anymore emissions from your car than absolutely necessary.

Fuel Additives to Increase Mileage

Ethos FR is one fuel additive on the market that claims to increase your fuel mileage. Check with your trusted owner’s manual to see if these may harm your system before trying them out.

Join a Car Pool Near You

Sites are cropping up all over similar to nuride.com that are designed to help you get in touch with local people who may be going your way. You may work at the same place as a neighbor, or one of your colleagues may pass your house on the way in. Take advantage of these opportunities. Maybe your spouse can coordinate schedules with you and you can ride into work together. One woman would leave her car in the park-n-ride 12 miles from her house and her husband would drop her off in the morning and pick her up at night. She shaved nearly 125 miles a week off her commute – which translated into a monthly savings well over $100.

Upgrade to a Smaller Car/Hybrid Car

Economists are split down the middle whether high prices are here to stay or not. If you are ready to unload your existing car, or need to buy a car, opt for something more efficient. Those scourges called Geo Metros are very hot right now, and hybrid vehicles are all the rage. Do the math to figure out if the premium price will equal savings at the pump. Ami Moore, a Chicago Dog Trainer, traded a Ford Excursion for a Toyota Corolla three years ago and never looked back. Turns out, all that extra space just made it more convenient for people to ask her to move bulky pieces for them.

The Toyota Prius has long led the pack in hybrid cars, but are no longer the only game in town. Toyota offers the Camry as a hybrid, too. Ford has the Escape, and Honda has hybrid Accords, Civics, and the Honda Fit. The Nissan Altima is another excellent car to consider.

Scooters, Segways and Motorbikes

Some scooters and segways operate solely on electric power, so make sure you’ve got enough juice to make it home before setting out. Motorcycles may not provide the gas savings you hope for if you select a more powerful model, and they may not be practical in all climates long enough to make a purely economic decision.

These tips may help you hang on until the economy improves, the price of gas comes down, or the public transportation system catches up with renewed demand. If not, you can’t beat the Shoe Leather Express or a bike. Your wallet – and waistline – will thank you!