Tips on How to Save on Gas by Driving More Efficiently
1. Walk
Another way to sve on gas is to try to combine as many purposes into one trip as you can for the following reasons:
If at all possible try to anticipate the driving conditions that you will be taking on your route. Tune in to radio traffic reports. If you know the traffic is or will be heavy on a certain road take an alternate route. 5. Avoid Rough Roads Driving on rough roads, such as those made of gravel or dirt, will reduce your fuel consumption by as much as 30 percent. In addition, driving over rough gravel or dirt roads can damage the underside of your vehicle, causing damage that you’re not aware of for some time to come. This damage, even if minimal, could be a factor towards increasing your gas costs and fuel inefficiency. 6. Drive The Speed Limit Make sure that you observe the speed limit. Your gas mileage will decrease rapidly when you travel at speeds over 60 mph. For every 5-mph that you drive over the 60 mph mark you are adding an extra 10 cents onto each gallon of gas that you purchase. Also keep in mind that you will be using at least 20 percent more gas when you are traveling at 70 mph than you would if you were driving at 55 mph. 7. Avoid Fast Getaways At The Stoplight Accelerate slowly when the light turns green. The faster you accelerate the more gas you are going to consume. Make sure you start at the stoplight slow and steady so that you conserve as much fuel as possible while you are going from a stopped position into a driving mode. It may be tempting for younger people to accelerate and race away from the stoplight. Don’t fall into this trap and you can save up to 20 percent in fuel costs just by being a safe driver. 8. Avoid Sudden Stops and Turns When you are driving your vehicle you should try to avoid braking suddenly or starting abruptly. Studies indicate stops that you can increase your fuel consumption when you brake gradually, start slowly, and avoid sudden stops. Drive responsibly and with care to avoid these stops and starts. 9. Avoid An Idling Vehicle Try to avoid letting your car idle, even on those cold mornings when you try to heat up the car before driving to work. Studies show that it’s more fuel efficient to turn off your car and re-start it, than it is to let it idle. 10. Remove Excess Weight From Your Car When traveling, avoid excess weight, as carrying excess weight will negatively affect your mileage. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk will reduce your fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent in the typical vehicle. Get rid of excess weight by removing unnecessary items from the vehicle. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage which will help you to save on gas. 11. Avoid Using The Air Conditioner Try using your air conditioner only when necessary. Running your air conditioner causes your vehicle to consume more fuel, especially in stop and go traffic. However, for highway driving, it’s probably better to use the air conditioner than to leave your windows open, as open windows will cause wind resistance and drag the vehicle, which will thereby consume more fuel. 12. Cruise Control When you are driving on the highway you should be using cruise control whenever possible to maintain a constant speed. This will help to increase your fuel consumption. However, you’ll get better gas mileage on mountainous or hilly roads, if you hold a constant throttle position instead of using cruise control. 13. Use Overdrive Gears On The Highway When you are traveling on the highway try to use your overdrive gears. By using your overdrive gears you can improve the fuel consumption in your car during highway type driving. The concept behind overdrive gears is that they decrease your engine speed, saving you on engine wear and fuel consumption. If you are uncertain about how to use your overdrive gears, ask a friend or put in a call to your mechanic for some advice. |
|
Copyright © 2005 - Gas Prices :: Browse our Gas Prices Site