There are few things as expensive, or as dreaded, as a tank of gas.
The cost of gas can skyrocket in the winter and summer, when demand for it is highest.
Additionally, the average American drives about 14 miles every day to get to and from work, school and other activities.
This means that the farther you live from your workplace, the more likely you are to need a full tank of gas to get there every day.
Costs like these add up fast — but there are ways to save on gas so that it doesn’t sting quite so much.
If you’re trying to cut back on your spending for the new year and beyond, read on for some tips about how you can save on gas and reduce your fuel expenses overall.
Know your car and its gas-efficiency specifications.
Before you start trying to save on gas, it’s important to make sure that your car is running as efficiently as possible. You can do this in a couple of ways.
First, be sure that you have the oil changed and tires rotated as often as your car’s manufacturer recommends. If you’re unsure of how many miles or kilometres you should get out of your oil change before it needs to be changed again, your car’s manual is likely to have that information.
In addition, download a car maintenance app such as CarMD or VINCheck. These apps will let you know when you should be getting your car inspected and serviced, as well as what type of fuel your car uses — which is an important factor in its fuel economy.
It’s important to know what type of fuel your car uses because what you put into it matters.
Check the oil and tyres before you leave.
If you regularly drive long distances, you’ll want to take care of any oil and tire issues before you hit the road.
This advice applies to both summer and winter driving, as issues like low oil levels and low tire pressure can cause your car to use more fuel.
In fact, a study conducted by AAA reveals that a quarter of Americans drive with reduced tire pressure. If you don’t have the money to repair any issues, you can always call a towing company, but this costs money as well.
Drive smart.
If there’s one word that sums up the best way to save on gas, it’s this: smart. There are many ways to drive smart, but here are a few tips for driving eco-friendly. – Stay in the right lane.
When you’re driving, stay in the right lane as much as possible. Not only is it safer, but it also reduces your fuel consumption.
– Avoid hard braking, accelerating and idling. Although these things don’t seem like they’d have much of an impact, they add up. – Use cruise control.
This device is a fantastic way to keep your car at a constant speed without having to constantly adjust the pedals. – Keep your tires properly inflated. Under- or over-inflated tires will cause your car to use more fuel.
Watch where you’re going — and when.
If you want to save on gas, you need to be aware of the route that you’re taking, as well as the time of day that you’re driving.
For example, if you’re driving during rush hour, you’re going to consume more fuel than you would at other times of the day.
Similarly, driving on a route that requires you to go up and down several hills will require the engine to use more fuel.
In addition, make sure that you’re not driving with the cruise control on in places where you’re forced to slow down, like near school zones or construction areas — especially in the winter when the roads are at their most treacherous.
Utilize your car’s eco feature.
Some cars have a “Eco” or “Eco-Drive” or “Hybrid” feature. If your car has this feature, it’s worth using. When Eco mode is activated, your car will use less fuel as it will automatically monitor your speed, braking and acceleration.
Defend against bad smells and functionality.
If you’re driving a car that smells bad from being in a wreck or having a leaky trunk, you’re going to use more fuel. Similarly, if your car isn’t running the way that it should be, you’re going to be using more fuel.
To help defend against bad smells and functionality, start by using a fabric refresher or air freshener in your car. You should also have your car examined regularly.
While you’re having it inspected, have the technician take a look at your car’s emissions as well as its overall functionality. You might need to have your car serviced or repairs done to ensure that it’s running optimally.
Stay at a constant speed.
If you’re trying to save on gas, you should avoid speeding as much as possible. Speeding will cause your car to use more fuel.
If you’re regularly driving a long distance, you might want to consider breaking up your trip into two or three parts. This will allow you to cruise at a constant speed, which will save you money on gas.
Buy in advance.
If you know that you’re going to need a full tank of gas for a trip in the near future, consider buying that gas in advance. Not only does this save you from having to use a full tank of gas for your daily driving, but it also saves you money.
It’s easy to forget about the gas that you have in your car, so you might end up driving to work on a nearly empty tank without realizing it. It’s best to keep track of how much gas you have in your car so that you can refuel before your tank is empty.
Borrow or rent an eco-friendly car.
If you need to drive a long distance in a short amount of time, it may be worth it to borrow or rent an eco-friendly car. Many companies, such as Zipcar or Hertz, will allow you to rent a car for about $15 per hour.
Although this option may not be feasible for everyone, it can be a great way to save on gas when you have a pressing need to travel.
Plan short trips in advance, or better yet, walk!
It may sound crazy, but walking can help you to save on gas. In fact, it’s estimated that the average American could save up to $2,000 a year just by walking to their destination instead of driving to it.
If you can, try to plan your short trips in advance so that you don’t have to drive to and from them. And if you can avoid driving altogether, even better.
That way, you’ll be able to save on gas and get some exercise at the same time. Before you start trying to save on gas, it’s important to make sure that your car is running as efficiently as possible.
You can do this in a couple of ways: First, be sure that you have the oil changed and tires rotated as often as your car’s manufacturer recommends.
Second, download a car maintenance app such as CarMD or VINCheck. These apps will let you know when you should be getting your car inspected and serviced, as well as what type of fuel your car uses — which is an important factor in its fuel economy.
