Ways to Save Gas
Saving money in the fuel department means making a few driving changes, and they don't have to be too painful. So here are some ways to minimize fuel costs.....
What type of fuel does the vehicle require? Make no mistake about it, one doesn't need to put premium fuel into their vehicles unless it is specifically required by the auto maker. Very few vehicles on the road today require premium fuel, and only high-end vehicles such as the BMW 750 models, Ferrari's, and others of that ilk require it. So stop wasting money at the pump and use basic unleaded.
The air pressure in the tires need to be correct according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Incorrect tire air pressure can waste fuel as well as create a safety hazard. Too little air in the tires means excess friction while driving, and that wastes gasoline. Some folks think that over-inflating will give them better fuel mileage, and yes, it's true. But the risks aren't worth it, as too much air pressure can mean a loss of control as well as create a dangerous amount of pressure in the tires. Especially on hot days where the air in the tires expands, if there is too much air in the tires a blowout is more likely to occur!
Needless excess weight in the vehicle can reduce fuel mileage. To get the best fuel mileage possible, reduce as much weight in the vehicle by cleaning out the trunk and storing or throwing away unnecessary items. That extra weight is a big drag, and auto makers spend a lot of money designing their cars to reduce the weight. By keeping unnecessary items in the car, one is undoing all of the work of the auto manufacturers.
Riding the brakes while driving not only wears out the brake linings in the car, but absolutely kills car mileage. Ever been driving behind someone while their brake lights flash on and off constantly? They are riding the brakes and costing themselves cold, hard cash in the process.
Planning car trips can save a ton of money. If there are a bunch of errands to do, try planning them so as not to double back in either direction. For instance, let's assume there are three errands in the south part of town, and two in the north part of town. There is road work going on in the south part of town in the morning, but it will be free in the afternoon, so plan to do the errands in the south part of town in the afternoon so as not get caught in the detours. Also, try to choose roads with the least amount of traffic and stop lights. Sitting at stop lights with the car running wastes gasoline, and even if a roadway is a couple of extra miles longer, but has less traffic on it, it's a better option. That is why highway miles are rated higher than city miles.
Using less fuel while driving means incorporating some of the above recommendations, as well as using common sense. The cost of fuel keeps rising, and any way to save that fuel means more money in your pocket.
