7 Ways To Save On Gas

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Telesis

With gas prices on the rise AGAIN, it’s time to take a closer look at your driving habits. The good news is that, with a few adjustments, you can drastically improve your gas mileage. If you take these tips to heart, you’ll reap additional benefits too: improved driver safety, reduced stress, and lower car maintenance repair bills.

Slow & steady
At least try to drive the speed limit. Most cars are less efficient at higher speeds. You’ll save 2 miles per gallon driving 55 mph rather than 65 mph. Accelerate gently, maintain a steady speed rather than speeding up and slowing down, and avoid slamming on the brakes.
Travel lite
Get rid of the excess weight from trunk or inside of car by taking unneeded items out. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines. Every 250 extra pounds uses up an extra mile per gallon. Another good reason to clean out the trunk.

Turn it off
Rule of thumb: shut the engine off if you’ll be idling for more than 30 seconds. Idling
burns more gas than restarting the engine. You’ll save gas if you turn off your car while waiting for the kids after school, at extra long traffic lights, or railroad crossings. It pays to park the car instead of going through the drive-thru.

Tighten up
Be sure to close your gas cap securely each time you fuel up your car. Gas will evaporate from your car’s gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council.

Stay in tune
Tune-ups improve performance as well as gas mileage. Check your owner’s manual for
recommended maintenance schedules. By following the manufacturer’s recommendations, you should avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or the transmission not going into high gear.

Keep it clean
Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a gallon. When an engine air filter clogs with dirt the engine has to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. It’s a good idea to have your air filter checked at each oil change.

Just Cruise
Using cruise control cuts down on unnecessary speed changes that can eat up gas. It also helps prevents “speed creep” which is the tendency for a driver to gradually increase speed with time spent on the road. This will also keep you from getting an expensive speeding ticket!