Gasoline prices across the nation topped out at more than $4.08 a gallon in the beginning of July. That's the news from the Energy Information Administration, which tracks fuel costs across the country. Prices have been skyrocketing due to the weakening dollar and heavy speculation in world markets and don't look to be headed south anytime soon. Save on gas 1. Car maintenance 2. Gas shopping 3. Driving 4. Other good habits
These gasoline prices send many of us into panicked flashbacks of the fuel crunches in the summer of 1980 and the mid-1970s. Thankfully, we learned a few good habits back then. Many Americans traded in their eight-cylinder gas-guzzlers for pipsqueak cars with small engines and better mileage. For more details visit to www.coachingonnet.com Then came the boom of the late '90s, and, oh, how quickly we forgot. Though most of us still pump our own gas, we've fallen into bad habits again. We've embraced the gas-guzzling SUV and dawdle, idling, in drive-through lines.
But you can hold down the number of times you have to stand at the gas pump, aghast, watching the numbers spin. These 15 tips will help you cut fuel consumption:
Car maintenance 1. Keep the tires inflated properly. This one is simple and a potential lifesaver. Under inflated tires waste fuel and wear out the tire tread. Also, check tires regularly for alignment and balance.
2. A well-tuned engine burns less gas. Get regular tune-ups and follow through with routine maintenance. The right parts and fresh oil keep your engine happy and less thirsty for gas.
3. Get the junk out of the trunk. A weighed-down car uses more fuel. For every extra 250 pounds your engine hauls, the car loses about one mile per gallon in fuel economy. Carry only the basic emergency equipment and items you really need.
Gas shopping 4. Buy the lowest grade (octane) of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Check your owner's manual for this information. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping, the fuel you're using is fine. You can save hundreds of dollars a year.
5. Pay cash at stations that charge extra for credit cards.
6. Don't top off the gas tank. Too much gas will just slosh or seep out. Why waste those extra pennies?
Driving 7. Drive intelligently; don't make fast starts or sudden stops. You're just overexerting your engine and burning extra fuel. Gradual acceleration also helps automatic transmissions run better. Engine-revving wastes fuel, too. ?The faster you drive, the more gas you use.?
8. Lighten up on the accelerator. The faster you drive, the more gas you use. Speed limits have gone up around most of the nation, but you don't have to see your fuel consumption go up drastically as well. For example, driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph can improve your fuel economy by two miles per gallon.
9. Avoid long warm-ups. Even on cold winter mornings, your car doesn't need more than a minute to get ready to go. Anything more and you're just burning up that expensive fuel.
10. Combine errands into one trip and plan your stops for the most efficient route. You'll save yourself time and money.
11. Do not rest your left foot on the brake. The slightest pressure could cause a drag that will demand additional gas use -- and wear out the brakes sooner.
Other good habits 12. Tighten up that gas cap. Make sure it's on securely. Buy a new one if your current cap doesn't fit snugly. Gas easily evaporates from the tank if it has an escape.
13. Buy a fuel-efficient car. When pricing cars, factor in long-term fuel costs. Keep in mind that sunroofs add to wind resistance, lowering the mileage per gallon.
14. Be smart with the air conditioning. On the highway, closed windows decrease air resistance, so run the air conditioner. But in stop-and-go traffic, shutting off the air conditioning and opening the windows can lighten your fuel use. Air conditioning can lower your fuel economy by 10 percent to 20 percent.
It's no surprise to hear gas prices have gone through the roof lately, peaking at over $4 a gallon in many cases. It seems every American would give almost anything to reduce these prices, but can't afford to give up their habit of driving. What are you to do when your wallet can't support gas prices anymore? Don't jump right to riding your bike everywhere, but instead try a few of these tips to help lower what you're paying at the pump.
1.Get to work a different way People spend most of their gas money traveling to and from work daily. Try assessing whether or not you really need to drive. You may try riding your bike or walking if your work in close by. If not, take a train or bus as the fares will probably cost less than driving to work yourself. Besides these alternatives there is always the tried and true tactic of carpooling to reduce how much you spend daily on gas.
2.Consolidate trips If you know you need to go to the grocery store, vet and cleaners this week do all three trips in one. By doing this you will cut down on the amount of small trips you make throughout the week, thus saving yourself some gas.
3.Park it and walk If all of your errands are located in one area, park your car and walk to each different store. If there is no need for you to drive, why waste the gas? Walking is also better for your health so you win all around.
4.Stop looking and park it When parking, go with the first spot you see in stead of looking around for a "better spot". Driving around the parking lot will just waste gas. And like I said, a little walking won't hurt you.
5.Join the club Save money on gas by joining loyalty clubs at gas stations or grocery stores with gas station. Grocery stores usually offer you discounts at their gas stations with your food purchases. Also, check online to find out the cheapest gas prices in your area. Simply do a search for "lowest gas prices" and you'll encounter sites that can give you information about the price of gas at different stations in your area.
6.Fill up when you're empty - and not before Some people trick themselves to think they are saving money by only buying a half or fourth tank of gas. However, these little amounts will add up to the same as a full tank eventually and waste you gas by driving to the station each time. Wait until your tank is empty before filling up and fill it up all the way.
7.Get frequent tune-ups Make sure you car is always operating at its best as this is when it uses gas most efficiently. Get regular tune-ups and oil changes as well as check the pressure in your tires. Maintaining your car will improve your gas mileage as well as increase the life of your car.
8.Do you REALLY need a Hummer? If you drive an SUV, Hummer or other gas guzzling car, reevaluate if you really need it. Here's a hint-if you live in the suburbs and work at an office you probably don't. Look into getting a hybrid or a smaller car. Although the upfront cost may seem large, in the long run you will use less gas and the savings add up.
9.Stay consistent When driving on the highway, try to keep a constant speed. Acceleration uses gas, so put it on cruise control to save up a little. Also, try and pick routes that require less stopping as the acceleration after the stop will use up gas as well. Try country roads where you can leave your windows open and turn off the A/C, adding to your decrease of gas usage.
10.Lighten your load Remove unnecessary items from your car as the extra weight can reduce your gas mileage. Take a look in your trunk and decide if you really need to keep your golf clubs on hand 24/7.
Both Chauhan & Melissa Mashtonio are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.