Top Ten Ways to use less Gas
The constantly rising price of gas affects every aspect of our daily lives. The cost cuts deep into our budgets and makes us rethink unnecessary trips, such as vacations and leisure driving. However, if you make using less gas an everyday way of life, then you won’t feel so guilty about those unnecessary trips. Try these ten ways to use less gas and start saving for that long awaited road trip.
- Replace That Gas Guzzler
Some large families really do need an SUV but that seems to be the vehicle of choice today. Even if you are a camping or sports enthusiast, who needs the room for hauling equipment it might make more sense to rent an SUV for events and own a more economical vehicle for everyday driving.
If you spend a lot of time in your car because your job requires you to travel by car then comfort is important but the cost of your gas affects your bottom line and driving a smaller car is smart. Older luxury cars and even some new ones are very hard on the pocket when it comes to keeping them fueled up. Maybe it’s time to trade it in so you can use less gas, which is a very iffy resource.
- Car Pooling
When you car pool with just one other person, you are automatically using half the fuel you would use if driving alone. Each person you add to the vehicle reduces the fuel you are using even more. This applies not only to you going to work but also to your kid’s school functions such as, games, plays and maybe even music or dance lessons. Next to buying a more fuel friendly car, car-pooling is the best way to use less gas.
- Keep Your Vehicle Tuned-Up
The less your engine has to work, the less gas it uses, so, it makes good economical sense to keep your car tuned-up and running at its peak. Always use the correct grade of oil and gas to protect your engine. Change the filter when you change the oil and have your car serviced when the owner manual suggests.
- Drive Slower
Yes, this is the hard one to do, but did you know that slowing down a mere five MPH on the Interstate not only saves gas but also saves on emissions from your exhaust, which are harmful to the environment. The faster you drive, the more drag on your car, causing the engine to work harder and use more gas.
- Consolidate Trips
Get your shopping organized and make every trip to town count. Keep a running list on the refrigerator of things needed from the store and one of appointments such as, doctor, school functions, dance and sports practices and so on. Refer to these lists each time you leave the house and consolidate any that you can.
- Use A GPS System When Traveling
A GPS is an excellent gadget for saving on gas when driving in a new city. Large cities can have confusing spaghetti junctions that cause you to get lost, which requires you to backtrack. Driving around searching for the correct way or the address you need to find is a waste of gas when a GPS could point you in the right direction the first time.
- Drive With Your Car Windows Shut
Every little bit helps and driving with your car windows shut while driving at high speeds will save by causing less turbulence and drag. Actually, running the A/C at high speeds uses no more gas than driving with the windows down. Open your vents to cool the interior of the car or use your A/C when it is extremely hot but always keep the windows shut. Driving with the windows shut doesn’t apply when you are crawling along in heavy traffic.
- Check The Air Pressure In Your Tires
Improving your gas mileage by 3.3 percent may not sound like a lot, but every little bit helps and keeping your tires properly inflated will save on gas as well as lengthening the life of your tires. You will also find that your car is easier to handle with your tires properly inflated.
- Examine Your Driving Habits
Examine your driving habits and ask yourself these questions. Do you always take the shorter route when you can? Do you allow your car to idle in long drive through lines? It uses less gas if you park and go inside to order. Do you just jump in the car and accelerate? Starting with a gentle pressure on the petal will save gas. Do you speed up and slow down excessively in heavy traffic or do you flow evenly with the traffic?
Do you price-shop for gas? Do you turn your engine off at railroad crossing, while waiting for the train to pass? Do you allow your car to idle while waiting for your spouse or kids? Do you haul needless, heavy items such as garden tools, sports equipment or camping gear when they aren’t needed?
- Ride A Bike Or Walk For Short Trips
American’s have always had a love affair with their cars, but the world is changing and so must we. Consider riding a bike or walking for short trips in your neighborhood. Both are excellent ways of exercising and you may end up saving on more than just gas. At any rate, when you bike or walk you save on gas.
These top ten ways to use less gas are all easy to do, but even if they were difficult to do, it would pay you to use them each time you fueled up your vehicle. The price of gas will never go back to its former low prices and we have become dependent on it and this means we must learn to conserve gas.
FuelEconomy.gov
