How to Save Money on Gasoline
With gasoline prices at an all-time high and the economy in a terrible slump, cutting down on fuel costs is a priority for most Americans. Saving money on gasoline doesn't mean simply driving around until the lowest price per gallon presents itself. Why waste fuel to find cheap fuel?
To truly lower gasoline costs requires two things: automotive maintenance and doing the math.
Car maintenance includes both what's under the hood and behind the wheel. Good driving habits can affect gas mileage as much as the age and wear and tear on a vehicle. Driving habits that can affect mileage include:
- Sudden starts, or quick acceleration from a dead stop.
- Revving of the engine. There is no need to press down on the gas pedal in neutral in order ot"warm up" the engine. Speaking of...
- The best way to "warm up" a car after starting it is to drive it. Setting at idle for long periods wastes fuel.
- While idling is bad, constantly starting a car can be worse. Few things draw more fuel from the tank than initially starting a car.
- Long trips are better than short jaunts. A car runs best at an optimum, hot temperature, which is why many people are concerned about "warm up".
Car maintenance is just as important:
- Regular tune-ups, which include not only changing the plugs AND wires (all of them, not just one or a few), but checking the PCV and EGRvalves. These parts improve fuel economy in a vehicle and should not be overlooked.
- Regular oil changes, recommended every 3 months or 3000 miles, on average. Engine oil provides not only lubrication for moving parts, but helpscool, clean, and maintain the engine as well.
- Maintain the other automotive fluids as well, including radiator fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic clutch oil (for standard vehicles), and make sure any joints that need regular lubrication are maintained.
- Keep the car aligned properly, as a poorly-aligned vehicle may "drag", hindering mileage.
The second part of lowering gasoline costs involves doing the math. Finding out which station has the lowest price isn't all. If one has to go ten miles out of his way to save two cents per gallon, it probably isn't worth it. Some tricks for saving at the pump are:
- Utilize programs for the smart phone such asPoynt,GasBuddy, evenMapQuesthas a gas price comparison.
- Use shopping cards. Many grocery stores now have gas stations in their lots, with discounts offered for frequent grocery purchases. Some even offer discounts on groceries for fuel purchases!
- Invest in a fuel-efficient vehicle. This seems like a no-brainer, but should still be kept in mind when purchasing a car. Many people bought huge SUVs and sports cars when gas prices were relatively low, only to get caught unprepared when prices suddenly spiked a few years ago. Prepare for the lean times, even when things are good.
