With today’s outrageous gas prices, everyone is looking for ways to save money at the pump. Gas rewards programs are one great way to get the occasional discount, but one of the best ways for you to save money on gas is to conserve gas itself. The tips below should help you do just that.
Check your tire pressure.
Ideally, you should check your tire pressure about once a month to ensure that they are properly inflated. Tires that are underinflated will cost you more gas because they cause more resistance. This means that your engine will have to work harder to keep your car moving, which can increase gas consumption by up to 15 percent.
If you check your car’s manual or the plate on the inside of your car door, you should be able to find the ideal tire pressure for your vehicle. If for some reason you can’t, these figures are usually easily researched online.
Keep your car well-maintained.
Keeping your vehicle tuned up and well-maintained is another great way to save gas because small issues with your car’s performance can have a surprisingly large impact on your gas mileage. A misfiring spark plug, for example, can reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.
Replacing air filters regularly can also make a huge difference in your car’s fuel consumption. If your filter is clogged, it could be reducing your fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent, costing you 15 cents per gallon. If you have your air filter checked with each oil change, though, your car should run more efficiently.
Drive smarter.
Changing your driving habits can also have a positive impact on the price you pay at the pump. Driving less aggressively, for example, by avoiding rapid acceleration and braking, can have a significant effect on your gas mileage. If you’re an aggressive driver, it could be reducing your fuel economy by up to 33 percent at highway speeds.
Driving for gas mileage usually also means driving more slowly. Although each vehicle is different, most cars tend to be very inefficient when operating at speeds above 50 miles per hour. In fact, based on today’s gas prices, every 5 mph that you drive over 50 mph costs you about 26 cents more per gallon. This certainly doesn’t mean that you should drive under the speed limit to save gas (as driving under the speed limit can be just as dangerous for other drivers as driving over the speed limit), but it does give you another reason to avoid unnecessary speeding.
Keep your car comfortable.
An often-overlooked way to save gas is to keep your car a comfortable temperature. This means parking your car in the garage whenever possible and parking in the shade during the summer time. How does this save you gas? Well, if your car is a comfortable temperature when you enter it and has been protected from the elements, you’ll be far less likely to need to use the air conditioning or defroster, both of which can take an enormous toll on your fuel efficiency.
Most people don’t experience their vehicle’s full potential in terms of fuel economy, but you’d be surprised at how much gas you can save using only the simple tips above. Drive smarter, and keep your car well-maintained, and you’ll be saving money at the pump in no time at all.
Thornton Chevrolet
Located just north of York, PA, Thornton Chevy offers new Chevrolet vehicles to those in the Harrisburg, York, Lancaster and Hanover areas. Along with new Chevrolets, Thornton also offers top of the line used vehicles. If you’re in the market for a lightly used car or truck, and an even broader selection of used vehicles can be purchased through its sister automotive dealers Brookside Motors (located in Dover, PA) and Manchester Motors (located in Manchester, just a half mile from the Thornton dealership).
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