Now that summer is almost officially here, gas prices will be on the rise before you know it, but don’t worry! Saving money on gas is much easier than you may think. It’s the simplest of actions that make the biggest difference when it comes to getting the most miles per gallon. Whether you are in a compact car, SUV, or a van, the following tips will help conserve gas and save money while on the road.
- Brake Correctly- Did you know that a car uses the most gas when it is accelerating? If the car is already moving, it doesn’t take much gas to keep it moving, but constantly braking and then speeding up again will drain your tank. For commuters who frequently sit in traffic, this is especially useful. Make sure you watch the cars in front of you and follow their lead, keep a steady foot lightly on the gas and avoid slamming on the brake!
- Cruise Control- Cruise control is a great way to keep a consistent speed if you are on the highway. It leads to less braking, which takes up a lot of fuel as we said, and keeps the RPM level.
- Manual Transmission- Driving a stick shift is notoriously more fuel efficient than an automatic car, mainly because you have more control over the vehicle and gears. Automatic transmissions may unnecessarily rev up the RPM in certain situations, like on the highway or when driving uphill. Also, the way the transmission shifts leads to a higher loss in fuel.
- Downsize- The heavier the car, the harder it has to work on the road. If a car is accelerating, it already uses more fuel than usual, but if the engine has to work harder to accelerate because of excess weight from personal items, it will use more gas than necessary.
- Turn off the Air Conditioner- The AC can really cost you fuel in the long run. Try to avoid using it as much as possible, of course this is not always possible, especially in the humid summer months that are coming our way. If you can, turn it off a few minutes before you reach your destination, the car will still stay cool for a few more moments and you don’t have to leave it running the entire time you are driving.
- Turn off Your Car- Although turning a car on and off does use fuel, the amount of fuel you save after at least 30 seconds of the car being off makes it worth it. Next time you are in traffic or at a long light where you know you will be stopped for at least 30 seconds, turn off the car. This is a very simple way to save gas and as a result more money.
- Reduce Wind-Resistance- Riding around with a ski or bicycle rack may be convenient for vacations or road trips, but keeping it on your car every day creates some serious drag that will slow you down and therefore cost you gas. Take these off if you are not using them, although it may seem like a pain, it will save you gas in the long run.
- Carpool- This is the easiest way to save gas. If you are able to commute to work with a friend and switch off driving days, you will automatically cut out half of your week’s worth of driving.
- Consider a Fuel Efficient Car- Cars are continuously changing to improve their gas mileage. Hybrid cars are popular but diesel engines also offer low mileage, especially on long distance journeys. Although diesel is more expensive to buy, it provides better MPG and will save you money over time.
Don’t let the increasing gas prices keep you off the road this summer, follow these simple tips and start getting the most miles per gallon from your car!
Information From: Open Travel Info
Photo By: USAG- Humphreys