Gas prices have been spiraling out of control for months, and
there is no end in sight. Increased gas prices do not just hit
you when you fill up your tank though. Just think about it for a
minute and you will realize how many other ways rising oil and
gas prices will cost you. The price of airline travel and
shipping services are likely to rise, as is the cost of many
other goods as retailers are forced to pay more for delivery.
You may even see your property taxes increase as towns have to
pay more to keep their police cars, fire engines, and garbage
trucks on the road. During times like these it is important to
get as much bang for you buck at the gas pump as possible. So
how can you save money on gas? While there is little you can
do about the market price of a barrel of oil, there are ways to
keep down your own personal costs at the gas pump. Here are some
suggestions: Don't pay extra for premium gas if you don't need
it. Consult your owners manual and stick to the recommended
octane. Most cars run just fine on regular unleaded gas and you
will get no extra performance by using premium gas. Shop around.
Keep a watchful eye and you'll be surprised at how much prices
can vary from one gas station to the next. I've seen differences
of eight to ten cents per gallon between gas stations directly
across the street from one another. Seems like a small
difference but it adds up over time. Schedule your errands to
minimize drive time, or if possible walk. Travel light. Keeping
your car and backseat loaded down wastes fuel as it requires
more energy to move a heavier car. Take only the essentials (a
spare tire, first-aid kit, jumper cables, etc.) with you. Slow
down. The faster you drive the fewer the miles you will get per
gallon. Drive steady. Avoid quick stops and accelerations that
waste fuel. Anticipate braking ahead of time and ease onto the
gas pedal rather than flooring it. Maintenance is key. Keeping
your engine tuned and tires inflated can make a difference in
your fuel consumption. Under-inflated tires create drag which
causes the engine to use more energy to propel the car. Plus, it
is unsafe to drive on tires that have too little or too air in
them. If you are in the market for a new car, consider models
that are more fuel efficient. Use the air conditioner
judiciously. There are two schools of thought on this one. The
first says you will burn less fuel with the windows down and the
AC off. The second says that driving with the windows open
creates drag, which wastes more fuel than would be used if the
AC was on and the windows up. So which one is true? Well...both
of them really. The car will consume more fuel with the air
conditioner on and the windows down, up to about 45-50 miles per
hour. As you drive faster, the drag caused my the open windows
will actually cause high fuel consumption. So the rule of thumb
is this: keep the AC off and the windows down when you are
cruising around town and on city streets. Once you reach the
highway or about 50 mph, roll up the windows and turn the on the
AC. Using these tips will help you save money on gas. While you
may not notice a huge difference with each fill up, the savings
will compound with each fresh tank.
About the author:
Mike Collins is the author of
