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With the price of gas as high as it is, who isn’t trying to save a few bucks at the pump these days?
While we can’t do anything about the price of gas, we can make our cars use the gas we do buy more efficiently.
Do you know what kind of gas mileage you are getting? Calculating this is simple. Start by filling up your tank. Write down the odometer reading or reset your trip gauge to zero. The next time you get gas, fill the tank again. Divide the miles you traveled between fill ups by the amount of gas you bought on the second fill-up. This is your miles per gallon.
So, does that number need a little bit of improving? Try some of these tips while
driving:
• Drive gently. Reduce your breaking and quick acceleration. Cars use the least amount of gas when they maintain a reasonable speed. Use cruise control whenever possible. Also, driving at slower speeds saves gas, which is all the more reason to do so.
• Lighten up. Remove all extra weight from your car that you do not absolutely need. While carrying around the golf clubs in the back might be a source of discussion on “need,” cars carrying extra weight use more gas.
• Minimize air conditioning use. When possible, close the windows and use the vents to bring in outside air.
• Combine errands into one trip. It sounds like a no-brainer, but think of the miles (and gas) you could save by stopping by the store on the way home from work instead of heading back out.
• Car pool. If you and a co-worker trade off on who drives which day or week, you can both save gas and money.
Also, make sure your car is in good repair:
• Start by checking your tire pressure. (Fess up – when is the last time you really checked it? In all four tires?) It takes more effort for the engine to propel an under-inflated tire than a properly inflated one, which consumes more gas. Beware of over-inflation, which can lead to handling problems and uneven wear on
the tires.
• Change the air filter. This is an inexpensive part to buy and, depending on the car, installation can even be performed by a beginner. Check the owner’s manual for recommendations. Change this more often if you live in a particularly dusty area, travel on dirt or gravel roads or if you off-road for sport.
• Make sure the spark plugs are firing properly. Replace them when they are due.
• Make sure the engine timing is appropriate.
• Inspect the exhaust system and muffler. There should be no holes. Chances are, if you have an exhaust problem, you will hear it.
Lastly, there really is no need to buy the super plus high-octane gas unless your owner’s manual recommends it or your engine “knocks” without it. While you really won’t do harm to the engine, you will definitely be hurting your wallet.
So, until these gas prices go down, stick with the cheap stuff.
