Gas Saving Tips

Carpooling, riding public transport and pedaling to work on a bicycle are championed as the common sense solutions. But these solutions are not the best when you can relax in your car and still save gas. View more details after the cut…

The following are gas-saving options that require nothing more than slight alterations in your buying and driving:

• Become gas-buying nocturnal. Only fill your tank during the coolest time of the day―late evening or early morning. Gas is more dense in cooler temperatures. And since fuel pumps measure by volume, rather than by density, you’ll receive more gas for your buck.
• Don’t overfill your tank. If using an automatic nozzle, stop at the first click.
• Avoid the fuels or additives that claim to increase your gas mileage. The only thing these “wonder liquids” increase is your spending.
• If you don’t mind the inconvenience, only fill your tank half-full. Less fuel means less weight or drag.
• Give yourself more time, especially during interstate travel. Driving slower increases gas mileage.
• Use air conditioning (AC) when driving at higher speeds. Wind drag caused by open windows is more gas-consuming than AC when driving faster, for example on the highway. Limit AC use when driving in city traffic. Gas mileage can decrease by use of AC at lower speeds.
• Avoid the type of jackrabbit starts that “high tide” the blood in your head to the back of your skull. The faster you accelerate, the more gas you gorge.
• Avoid over tapping your brakes. The more you brake, the more you must accelerate, causing greater gas consumption.
• Don’t convert your trunk into a storage shed. Less weight equates into better mileage.
• Keep your car tires properly inflated. Under-inflation shucks mileage from your gas tank.
• Adhere to regular service checks for your vehicle.