How to Save Money on Gasoline
1. Clean out the trunk. Experts say your car loses one mile per gallon for every 250 pounds of extra weight it carries. Make sure you are hauling only necessary items. 2. Another way to save money on gas is to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under-inflated tires waste fuel and can wear out tire tread. Check with your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic for advice on tire pressure. Get a tire gauge and check your pressure every week, as weather conditions, driving and leaks can cause fluctuations. 3. Don’t drive unless you have to. Carpool, walk or ride a bicycle whenever possible. It’s healthier and you'll definitely save on gas. 4. Turn off the air conditioner whenever possibleb. On the highway it’s ok to close the windows to reduce resistance. 5. Open the windows and turn off the air conditioner in stop and go traffic. 6. Plan your trips ahead to save money on gasoline and avoid unnecessary driving. Make a list of everything you need before you leave home to save money and time. Use alternate routes if possible. Often back roads can help you avoid traffic lights and more importantly, traffic jams. 7. Keep your engine tuned. This saves wear and tear on your engine and increases gas mileage. This includes regular oil changes. A well-tuned engine goes a long way to increase fuel economy, which in turn helps you save money on gas. 8. Get a membership card. Some gas stations, as well as grocery stores, offer discounts at their fuel pumps when you use their membership cards. 9. Don’t spend time warming up your car. Even on cold winter mornings, your car needs only about a minute to warm up before you get going. 10. Another way to save money on gasoline is to drive slower on the highway. Even if you have to leave a little earlier. Studies show that your car uses significantly more gas at speeds higher than 55 mph. Driving 55 instead of 65 can save money on gasoline by increasing your fuel economy by about two miles per gallon. 11. Use the lowest octane gas recommended for you vehicle. In most cases, it’s regular unleaded. Check your owner’s manual to be sure. Remember, lower octane (some call it cheap gas) means a lower gas bill. 12. Don’t idle unless you have to. It burns excess fuel. Starting your car is about the same as idling for about 30 seconds. That means you should not idle your car for more than 30 seconds unless absolutely necessary. In other words, it’s cheaper to park your car and go inside the fast food restaurant rather than let it idle in line at the drive-thru. And never leave your car running while you dash into the grocery store. 13. Make sure your gas cap is tightened. Gas fumes can evaporate through a loose-fitting gas cap, costing you big bucks. 14. To help save money on gasoline, check for deals on the web. There are web sites that show you who has the best deals on gas in your area. 15. If possible, let the kids ride the bus to and from school instead of driving them. 16. Keep a good distance from the car ahead of you to avoid unnecessary starting and stopping, which eats up your gas, and your pocketbook. 17. Walk between stops. If you park near two or more important stops on your route, park between them and walk to as many as possible to save driving your gas out. 18. Use cruise control if you have it.This helps smooth out quick and unintended accelerations that cause your car to use more fuel. 19. Don’t drive at high speeds in low gear. This increases your rpm’s and causes your car to use more gas. 20. When prices are high, don’t fill up. Save money on gasoline by waiting until the price goes down to fill up your car. Otherwise you’re signaling to the oil companies that you’re more than willing to pay their ridiculously high prices for gas. 21. Use synthetic oil. Studies show synthetic oil gives you better gas mileage by helping your engine run smoother. 22. Check your air filter at every oil change. A clogged air filter can cost you big bucks in gas efficiency by working your engine harder, causing it to use more fuel. 23. If your daily grind takes you through rush hour traffic, and you have the time, try to find something to do until the traffic dies down. 24. Park in the shade to keep your car cool. Gas evaporates right out of your tank faster when you park in the sun. Roll down your window slightly to allow air to circulate throughout your car. 25. Check Out Gas Buddy.com. GasBuddy.com can help you find cheap gasoline prices in your city. It's a network of almost 200 gas price information websites that help you find low gasoline prices in your neighborhood. All web sites are operated by GasBuddy and has the most comprehensive listings of gas prices anywhere. Click here to go to Gas Buddy and save money on gasoline. These days it’s hard enough to save money without spending it unnecessarily on anything but the necessities of life. And with gasoline prices at an all-time high and constantly on the increase, it’s time to pull out the old play-book, apply some new game rules and start to save money on gas. Save Money On Health Care
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