How to Get Better Gas Mileage

Although gas prices are prone to drop occasionally, they continue to gradually increase due to the demand of oil. We have seen a nice could of months of low prices, but who knows how long that will last?

Regardless, for many people, the fuel can be a significant expense each month and can often be difficult to afford with long commutes or while traveling. To beat the pump and get better gas mileage, there are a few tricks to getting more bang for your buck and spending less each year when it comes to gas. Read on for some great gas saving tips!

Avoid Speeding

You can immediately improve your fuel economy by driving at a slower speed while on the road. Driving 60 miles per hour, as opposed to 70 miles per hour, while on a highway can conserve an average of two to four miles per gallon. Reducing your speed will also increase your driver safety and prevent potential accidents from occurring when behind the wheel. Although many drivers have a habit of being an aggressive driver, reducing your speed and acceleration can save up to 33 percent of fuel with 23 cents saved per gallon!

When you’re in stop and go traffic, try coasting instead of slamming on your breaks as frequently by keeping a distance from the car ahead of you. You can also accelerate at a slower speed at traffic lights when the light turns green. No need to slam on the gas just to have to slam on the brakes at the next red light one block away 🙂

Check Your Tire Pressure

One of the most common mistakes made my drivers who are looking to save on gas is failing to check their tire pressure each week. Tires lose an average of 1 PSI every month. This can increase fuel consumption by three percent or more! Check your tire pressure each week to ensure that they’re properly inflated and refill them when necessary with an automatic air compressor at a local gas station. In cold weather, add up to 3 PSI to each tire to keep things proper.

Clean Out Your Car

I have a big habit of leaving a bunch of crap in my car. Umbrellas, those collapsible blue chairs for kids soccer games, car seats, you name it. You may enjoy using your trunk or the back seat of your car as an extra place for storage, but by having unused belongings in your car you’re causing your vehicle to use more fuel just to run. With stop and go driving, the weight of your vehicle will cause you to increase your fuel consumption by up to two percent for every 100 pounds. You can also remove a roof rack that is placed on the top of the vehicle and only use it when it’s necessary.

Run Multiple Errands in One Trip

This is a big tip that our family can make use of. It helps that we live ~10 mins from town, so it is a bit more difficult for us to run those quick errands. Instead of heading out to the store each day, you can reduce your fuel consumption by running multiple errands in one trip. Create a detailed route that allows you to kill more than two birds with one stone. It will also reduce the amount of miles that you put on your vehicle. Consider grocery shopping every two weeks or carpooling with other co-workers to reduce how much fuel you’ll need to use. Run the errands when traffic is light to prevent driving in stop and go traffic. This will surely improve your gas mileage and save you time in the process! I

Another tip I’ve read is shutting off your car if it’s going to be waiting at a standstill for more than a couple of minutes. I’m not so sure about this one, but if you are into experimenting you can give it a test. If you’re in line at drive-thrus or at fast food restaurants, avoid idling your car by turning the engine off to prevent using as much gas. I’ve been told that this will cause more wear and tear on your car, but I’m no expert…

Purchase a Fuel Efficient Vehicle

With more drivers wanting to save at the pump, fuel-efficient vehicles are increasing in popularity and saving consumers hundreds to thousands of dollars annually on fuel. Vehicles that get 30 miles per gallon as opposed to 20 miles per gallon can save an average of $500 each year. Opt for driving a smaller vehicle with narrow tires and calculate the annual cost of fuel that you can expect to pay with the amount of miles you normally drive.