How Do You Save Gas While Driving?

You drive to work, to school, to the grocery store and, sometimes, across state lines to go on vacation. And thanks to GPS and map apps for your mobile devices, you can always find out where you are going. However, there are some questions that still need answers. The most important question: What ways can help you save money on gas and help you drive more efficiently?

FIVE ENERGY-SAVING TIPS FOR THE ROAD

Keep calm

Not only is road rage dangerous for you and others around you, it can also waste gas and make your engine work overtime. Try to be sensible when driving, and don’t rev your engine to increase speed, only to slow down shortly after. If you can cut out jarring stop-and-go driving, you can save anywhere between 5 to 33 percent on gas purchases.

Unload your car

While having everything you’d ever need in your vehicle when travelling can seem like a comforting idea, extra weight can decrease your fuel efficiency. Instead of keeping extra books, two sets of tools, extra luggage or a dog kennel in the back of your car when you drive to work, consider leaving them in your garage. An extra 100 pounds can increase gas costs by $0.03 per gallon.

Stop idling

If you’re going through a drive-thru, or simply waiting in your car for a few minutes, turn off your car instead of leaving it running when you’re not in motion. If you can, find a place to park, and roll your windows down. Idling for more than 10 seconds can use more fuel than restarting your engine. So don’t worry about turning your vehicle off and on – it’s more efficient than leaving it running when you’re not in motion.

Don’t speed

While seemingly obvious, driving over 50 to 60 mph can decrease your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Each and every car has an optimal speed for maximum fuel economy, so an exact speed limit for fuel efficiency is hard to determine. It’s safe to assume, though, that you’ll pay an additional $0.16 to $0.24 per gallon of gas for every 5 miles you drive over 50 mph. One thing is for sure – always follow the legal, designated speed limit.

Check the air in your tires

Many people only think about the air pressure in their tires once they have a flat, but an under-inflated tired can impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. In fact, an under-inflated tire could lower efficiency by 2 percent for every 1 psi drop in your tires. Need help finding the correct tire pressure for your vehicle? Try looking in the driver’s side door jam or owner’s manual, and never go above the maximum numbers printed on the wall of your tire.

FIVE ENERGY-SAVING TIPS FOR THE ROAD

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