5 Ways To Save on Gasoline

September 21, 2007 · Filed Under · 4 Comments 

Gas StationPull that garden hose out of the gas tank of your neighbor’s Ford Expedition because I have some easy ways for you to save on gasoline (that don’t involve siphoning it!). Price of gas here in Northern California is around $2.80 per gallon and is getting so expensive that it has to be budgeted for. If you commute, or are always shuttling the kids from school to soccer to ballet to karate, these 5 ways to lower your gas costs will be helpful.

  1. Drive Efficiently. This means don’t accelerate at the stop light like you are at the drag strip. By avoiding fast accelerations, and not speeding like a demon, you can lower gas mileage by 33% at highway speed and by 5% cruising around town. Also, use your cruise control when on the highway for even more fuel efficiency.
  2. Maintain your Vehicle. Don’t be frugal when it comes to maintaining your vehicle.
    - Keep your air filters clean and replace when needed. This alone can improve your MPG by up to 10%.
    - Use good quality motor oil. Check your car’s manual for the correct grade of oil.
    - Periodically check your tire pressure. Under inflated tires will reduce your gas mileage.
    - Follow your automobile’s recommended maintenance schedule. This will insure that your car’s timing is correct as well as keeping spark plugs functioning properly. Both of which will help improve gas mileage.
  3. Alternative Transportation. Can’t use gas when you are not using your car!
    - Stop by your local bus depot and get a bus schedule. Start using the bus on occasion.
    - Find a colleague that lives close to you and carpool with him/her.
    - Walk or ride your bike when possible. Great exercise as well.
    - If you have to drive to work, try and plan your schedule so you miss the heavy traffic times of the day. By not sitting in traffic you will save considerable gas.
  4. Do You Really Need Premium Gas? If you are currently buying mid or high grade gas, check your vehicle’s manual to see if it really needs the extra octane. Unless it is a Corvette or a high performance engine you are probably throwing money down the toilet.
  5. Buy a More Efficient Auto. Look into trading in your gas guzzler for a more efficient vehicle. If we all did this it would send a message to the big automakers that we want a change.
     

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Comments

4 Responses to “5 Ways To Save on Gasoline”

  1. Hilda on September 21st, 2007 7:58 pm

    Here’s another tip to save money on gas:

    Utilize the internet as much as possible; do your banking on-line, order/print stamps (no need to go the post office), and even shopping. If you really have to run errands, lump all your errands in one day and plan accordingly so that you’re not running all over town.

    Also, plan your trips in a clockwise fashion. Making right turns are easier than left turns.

  2. Kyle on September 22nd, 2007 7:17 am

    Excellent tips Hilda, thanks for leaving them!

  3. smanukonda on November 9th, 2007 10:39 am

    Another gas-saving tip that I’ve heard is to drive into a parking spot to avoid having to reverse out later. Reversing uses more gas than pulling out forward.

  4. Kyle on November 9th, 2007 11:54 am

    smanukonda, interesting tip, makes sense. Although you will probably have to park way out in a lot to find a spot you can drive into. Which I do alot anyways to avoid the door-bangers! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

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