Trips to the gas station have become more painful as of late due to increasing fuel prices. You could wait and hope that those prices eventually come down, or you could follow these driving tips to cut your gas consumption:
1. Don’t speed.
It may not be fun to drive the speed limit. And it may not get you to your destination quicker, especially if you’re in a rush. But driving fast increases wind resistance, which can decrease your car’s fuel economy.
2. Be gentle with the pedal.
In keeping with the non-speeding theme, don’t accelerate quickly. The harder you accelerate, the more fuel you’ll use.
3. Learn to coast.
You don’t always have to have your foot on the gas pedal. If you plan ahead for turns and stops, you can lay off the gas and coast. This gives you better gas mileage. And by avoiding a driving pattern that includes constant accelerations and stops, you can give your brakes a bit of a break, saving you on repairs down the line.
4. Plan your trips.
You can cut down on trips, which cuts down on fuel consumption by planning. For instance, if you know you have several errands to run, try to group them versus spreading them out.
If you work near the grocery store, you can make your shopping trip Friday instead of doing it separately on a Saturday. This not only saves gas, but it can save you time too.
5. Don’t idle.
Do you turn your car on and sit there for several minutes? This idling can waste gas and probably isn’t necessary.
If you do it to play with your phone before taking off in the morning, do it inside your home instead.
Then, when you’re ready to go, jump in your car and take off without the gas-wasting idling.
6. Carpool.
This is one of the oldest and easiest ways to save money on gas. You can carpool with coworkers, other parents to take your kids to school, and so on.
Carpooling saves money, but it also gives you a break from having to drive every single day. That alone makes it worth it.
7. Use cruise control.
You can give your bank account and foot a break by using cruise control on longer drives. The steady speed improves gas mileage, and it also ensures you don’t speed so you can miss out on getting a costly ticket.
One area where cruise control may not improve your gas mileage is where it’s hilly due to excessive downshifting. Other than that, you’re good to go.
8. Use your windows more.
Some say using your windows creates drag and decreases gas mileage. This is true, but usually at higher speeds. At lower speeds when cruising through the city, lowering your windows and turning the AC off could help you save some cents on gas.
Section 8 Assist
