Monthly Archives: June 2011

Did you know that you can decrease your gas spending by as much as 20% just by changing your habits? Using less gas while driving is better for both your pocketbook and for the environment. Here’s how to use less gas while you’re driving.

Stay Below 60 MPH

When you go above 60 mph, your gas burn rate increases exponentially. You don’t just burn twice as much as when you’re going at 30 mph. You burn a lot more than twice the gas.

When you’re driving on freeways and highways, avoid going over 60 mph. Stick to the slow to medium lanes of traffic.

Put on Cruise Control

Speeding up and slowing down on freeways uses more gas than if you just put the car in cruise control.

If you expect that you’re going to be maintaining speed for a period of time, put on cruise control instead of manually controlling your speed.

Avoid Sharp Stops and Fast Starts

Instead of stopping sharply at stop signs and red lights, gradually bring the car to a stop by easing on the brakes.

Any time you start driving again, avoid going too quickly. Do not floor the gas! Instead, ease into the gas until you’re going at the speed you want.

Remove Things You Don’t Need

Don’t carry extra weight in the car or trunk.

If you have things that have been sitting in your car for over a month and you still haven’t used or moved the items, chances are they’re just going to be deadweight in your car. Take them out to save gas and stop lugging them around.

Turn Off the AC

Whenever you can, turn off the AC. AC usage increases gas usage. Open your windows instead, or just press the “let outside air in” button.

If it’s really too hot to not use the AC, then turn on the AC until the car is cool then turn it off again. Avoid leaving the AC on for extended periods of time.

Oil Change & Vehicle Maintenance

Having your oil changed regularly and having your vehicle maintained will also save you gas.
Don’t wait and put these things off.

There are many things in your car that can decrease your gas mileage if you don’t get a tune up at the right time. For example, if your alignment is off your tires could literally be “fighting” one another – One tire is leaning one way while the other tire is leaning the other way. Naturally, this increases gas consumption.

Fill Up Your Tank

When you get gas, fill up your tank all the way instead of partially.

This is because every time you need to come back to the gas station, that means extra driving to get to the station as well as extra idle time while you’re waiting your turn at the pump.

The money you save by not carrying the extra gallons in your tank is negligible. Instead, fill up all the way to avoid using gas to drive to gas stations.

If you follow these tips to the T, you can save as much as 20% on your gas mileage. Best of all, none of these tips are very hard to implement!