Simple tricks to stretch your gas dollars
Wow. Take a look at this graph. It shows the trend of the weekly average price of regular gas across the country. Is it any wonder that we’re trying to squeeze the last pennies out of our tanks?
When clients ask us what they can do to maximize their mileage, we have one major piece of advice… keep your vehicle in top running condition. That means major things like keeping your engine in top shape, but also little things like keeping your tires properly inflated. But everyone always wants the inside scoop as well, the silver bullet that will make their SUV get 60mpg. There isn’t one, but here is a list of tips culled from various sites around the web. The ones with numbers come from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and www.fueleconomy.gov, and are based on $2.91/gal gas. (Remember when that seemed expensive?) Some tips are from less rigorous sources and others are pretty unconventional, but put them all together and you’ll know you’re burning the fewest dinosaurs you can.
And that savings isn’t just good for you… every gallon of gas burned contributes over 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gasses that causes global climate change. Increasing fuel efficiency also reduces dependence on foreign oil, which currrently pumps over $2 billion a week out of the US economy.
Start with a fuel efficient vehicle
Selecting which vehicle to purchase is the most important fuel economy decision you will make. The difference between a car that gets 20 mpg and one that gets 30 mpg amounts to $728 per year (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually). If you’re not in the market for a new car, and are a multiple car family, the simplest way to get better fuel economy might be to drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle more of the time.
Keep engine properly tuned
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. Cost Savings: 12 cents/gallon
Avoid idling
Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Letting your vehicle idle for more than 30 seconds uses more gas than shutting it off and restarting. Don’t start your car until you are ready to go, and keep winter engine warm-ups to about a minute. Avoid other warm-ups altogether if you can. The engine actually warms up more quickly once the car is operating, and will stay warm after stopping. Avoid drive-up windows – park and go inside instead. Cost Savings: 1.46 cents/gallon for every three minutes you avoid idling.
Keep tires properly inflated
More than one-quarter of vehicles are driving on deflated tires, and the average under-inflation of 7.5 pounds causes a loss of around 3 percent. Properly inflated tires are not only more efficient, but they’re safer and last longer. Check pressure in all four tires every two weeks with an accurate, hand-held air pressure gauge. Cost Savings: 8.73 cents/gallon.
Keep your tires properly aligned
Poor alignment not only causes tires to wear out more quickly, but also forces your engine to work harder. Cost Savings: 29.1 cents/gallon.
Check and replace air filters
Your car’s air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine. Nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Cost Savings: up to 29 cents/gallon
Use recommended grade motor oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using the correct grade of motor oil (located in the owner’s manual or on driver’s side door). Also look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the American Petroleum Institute performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives. Cost Savings: 3-6 cents/gallon
Drive smoothly and sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Avoid jack-rabbit starts and stops, and drive at a consistent speed once you’re moving. Riding with your foot on the brake pedal will not only wear out brake pads but can also increase gas consumption by as much as 35%. Cost Savings: $0.15-$0.96/gallon
Observe the speed limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph reduces fuel economy by about 5 percent. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas. Cost Savings: $0.20-$0.67/gallon
Use Cruise
Cruise control is a great tool, and it keeps the accelerator pretty steady. Use it on long stretches of land, whether in town or on the highway.
Use GPS
Nothing wastes gas like getting lost. Use GPS devices or smartphones to help find efficient routes, in single or among multiple destinations. If not, plan a route with Google Maps beforehand.
Minimize drag
Drag and weight reduce fuel efficiency. Using roof- or rear-mounted racks, driving with the windows open at higher speeds, and carrying heavy loads increase vehicle drag. Reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by using a removable rack and placing items inside the trunk whenever possible. Washing and waxing your car also makes a smooth, aerodynamic surface and increases efficiency. Is may not sound like it would help much, but it’s why swimmers and bicyclists shave their legs.
Remove excess weight
Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in the vehicle’s trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by about 2 percent. Don’t forget the junk in your own trunk counts, too! Getting into a health club and dropping pounds will actually increase your gas mileage, so there’s one more motivation to be healthy. Cost Savings: 4.37 cents per gallon (assuming 100 pounds of weight removed, whatever the source).
Go for the shade
The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank. “If you let your car bake in the sun there’s going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade,” says Jim Kliesch, at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.
Check Your Gas Cap
It’s estimated that nearly 17% of cars on the road have broken or missing gas caps. What’s the big deal? Escaping fumes not only hurt fuel economy but release smog-causing compounds into the air. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. Avoid air pollution and improving fuel mileage is as easy as replacing a bad gas cap. Cost Savings: 1.46 cents/gallon
Don’t top off
Don’t bother topping off when filling your car’s gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won’t use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.
Think Locally
Find alternatives to activities that are more than 10 miles away, preferrably ones that you can walk or bike to. Learn to love your neighborhood and your town.
Consolidate trips
Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multi-purpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You’ll not only save fuel and reduce wear on your car, but you’ll save your valuable time as well.
Just stop driving and sell your car
This may be the hardest to start doing, but can really get addictive and is definitely the bigggest winner in gas-saving. Walk, bike, skateboard, or use public transport for local trips. If you have to have a car for long trips or hauling, think about renting, car-sharing, carpooling, or taxis.
