Sick Of Those High Gas Prices?

With the recent increase in gas prices, now more than ever, we need to be conscious of every trick in the book to save on gas (and ultimately save money, save on vehicle wear and tear, and reduce air pollution!).

Here, a list of top-saving tips (remember, every little bit counts!):

Maintain your vehicle [Proper maintenance can improve gas mileage by up to 4 percent or $0.15/gallon, according to fueleconomy.gov]

• Make sure your tires are properly inflated to manufacturer specifications and your wheels are properly aligned
• Maintain your automobile with regular tune-ups (change the oil regularly using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil)
• Reduce the driving load by removing unnecessary equipment (including roof racks; choose to put items inside the vehicle rather than on the roof)
• When looking for a new (or used) vehicle, buy only what you need (avoid a lot of extra options) and consider fuel-efficiency ratings (also consider alternatives such as hybrids or alternative fuel vehicles)

Reduce your driving

• When you can, walk or bike instead
• Carpool or ride-share instead of driving alone
• Take the first parking spot you find instead of driving around for the “perfect” one
• Combine errands into one trip or one day and map out your destinations so that you are driving the fewest miles to make the round-trip (go to the furthest destination first to get your engine to optimal temperature)
• Choose public transportation over driving your own vehicle
• Run your errands or plan your trips during light-traffic times and avoid routes with lots of traffic lights
• Park in the shade (or in your garage) to reduce gas evaporation and keep the interior cooler
• Choose to make right-handed turns over left-hand turns to reduce time spent idling at stops

Be a skillful (and mindful) driver  [Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by up to 33 percent or $1.25/gallon, says fueleconomy.gov]

• Don’t start your car until you are ready to leave (most cars and trucks do not need to be “warmed up” for long periods of time)
• Slow down (55 mph is the speed at which car engines have been found to be operate most efficiently in terms of fuel use)
• Drive smoothly rather than aggressively (don’t speed up quickly then brake suddenly; anticipate your stops and turns and let off the accelerator accordingly; drive a safe distance from other cars)
• Choose to stop and restart your car rather than idling (for times longer than 1 minute) (park and go inside rather than waiting in line at the drive-thru; turn off your car while waiting for long trains or waiting for your kids at their school or for family at the store)
• Use cruise-control whenever you can
• At high driving speeds, keep your windows up to reduce air drag
• Don’t blast the air conditioner (use it only when necessary but at high speeds choose the a.c. over rolling the windows down)
• If possible, use your overdrive gears (both manual and automatic transmissions)

Buy gas wisely

• Buy gas in the early morning--the gas will be cooler and denser (heat increases expansion and evaporation)
• Make sure to tighten your gas cap after refueling
• Buy as much gas as you need (or can) while you’re at the gas station instead of wasting trips to buy little amounts at a time
• Don’t worry too much about “brands”--buy where you can get the best prices
• Buy the lowest octane fuel required for your vehicle
• Join rewards clubs or loyalty clubs to save on gas (e.g. Stop & Shop offers gas rewards points for every dollar spent on groceries)
• Use credit cards that offer gas rewards or savings (only use if you do NOT carry a monthly balance)
• Check websites such as www.gasbuddy.com before leaving home to compare gas prices in your area (consider distance to and from the gas station to see if the savings is worth the drive)
• Use smart phone applications such as GasBuddy to look for cheap gas prices while on the go
• Buy gas well in advance of upcoming holidays

More Resources:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ (Excellent resource!)
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/trans.htm
http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money-on-Gas
http://www.opentravelinfo.com/travel-guide/uncategorized/how-to-save-money-on-gas-29-tips.html
http://www.globalstewards.org/town.htm

What are you most concerned about--high gas prices? Gas mileage? Vehicle wear and tear? Emissions and air pollution?--and why?