What you can do to Save Money on Gas
With gas prices at an all-time high, we all want to know what we can do to save a little cash on gas. While there's not much we can do about the price of gas these days, there are ways we can go about getting more miles out of our gallon gas.
One solution is to ditch the SUV or Hummer, or anything with a V8 engine in favor of a more economically efficient car. Unless you feel the need to show off, or make up for some personal inadequacies, there's no need to be tooling around in a vehicle that sucks up 1/4 tank of gas just at the turn of the key. Exceptions here would be if your business relies on large vehicle (say construction or other trade profession) or if you have alot of kids (for those moms who prefer the urban assault vehicle over a minivan).
Car preference aside, there are several other things you can do to conserve gas:
1. Check your tire pressure once a week to ensure the pressure level is up to the specs. You can check it by looking at the tire itself, as the PSI rating is usually located right next to your tire size (ex: 185/75/R14). You can check your tire pressure by buying a tire gauge for $2 at WalMart or any auto parts store.
2. Check/replace your air filter. Air filters are a simple and inexpensive way to maximize your gas mileage. By allowing your car to take in clean air, it doesn't have to work as hard. Filters can be purchased for around $20, once again at any Wal-Mart or auto parts store. If it's an auto parts store, be sure to look them up first and call them first to see if they have it in stock. You may need to provide them with the year, make and model of your car.
3. Change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles. These will keep your internal engine parts clean, which will prolong engine life and efficiency. Throw in a can of Fuel Injector cleaner at every oil change (Gumout or STP brands are fine)if your car has over 30,000 miles on it. I would also recommend flushing your engine with a product called Motor Flush once a year. This product removes gunk and other deposits from your engine that accumulate over time, factors that can put a drag on your engine's performance.
4. Use the cruise control. Do you do alot of highway driving? Cruise control is a great way to increase your fuel economy. By keeping a steady pace, the oil pressure stays consistent, the engine is alot happier, and with the lack of jump starts or sudden braking, fuel is put to the best possible use.
5. Get that junk out of your trunk - all the items you have stowed away in your trunk or back seat need to go if you're not using them. By having a lighter car, your car will run better and your gas mileage will improve. Every little bit helps!
Lastly, if you're really a stickler about gas prices, go online and lookup prices in your area. Shop around for the best price and convenient location for you to fill up. Who knows, you might just save a few bucks!
