With gas prices at an all time high, you need to arm yourself with these helpful money saving tips. Ignoring them means less money at the end of the day for you to use on other life necessities. Here’s 15 tips to get you the most bang for your hard earned buck:
Car Maintenance
1. Keep your tires properly inflated. This will save you a good amount because under and overinflated tires will not only waste fuel, it will also wear out your tread faster. Also, check your tires regularly for balance and alignment.
2. Do regular tuneups and follow through with routine maintenance. A well-tuned engine burns less gas and will save you good money.
3. Remove unused junk from your trunk. The junk only adds weight to your vehicle which in turn will burn more fuel. Ever extra 250 pounds will cause you to lose one mile per gallon in fuel economy. Carry only the stuff you really need.
4. Make sure your gas cap is secure and tight. If it won’t secure and tighten up properly, buy a new one. Gas could evaporate otherwise.
Buying Gas
5. Buy the lowest octane (grade) that your vehicle can handle. As long as your engine doesn’t knock or ping you are fine. Check with your owner’s manual. You can save hundreds per year. Buying higher grades simply does not make sense - it won’t extend the life of your car.
6. Pay cash at gas stations that charge you extra for using credit cards. Some stations charge as high as 3% on top of your purchase!
7. Do not top off your gas tank. It will spill and seep out. Save your pennies.
Driving
8. Drive smart. Avoid sudden stops and starts. Doing so will over exert your engine and will burn more fuel - not to mention your cash. Avoid revving your engine, it wastes fuel too.
9. Don’t speed! Driving faster will burn more gas. Driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph can improve your fuel economy by two miles per gallon. This will surely add up.
10. Avoid long warm-ups. Your car doesn’t need more than a minute to get ready. The longer you let it warm up, the more gasoline you will be burning.
11. Plan your errands and trips to use the most efficient route. You’ll not only save gas, you’ll save time.
12. Try to keep your foot off the brakes as the slightest pressure will put on more drag for your car causing you to use more fuel. It will also wear out your breaks sooner.
13. Turn off the air-conditioning when in stop and start traffic. When on the highway at high speeds, close your windows and only turn it on if you really need it. Having the windows closed at high speeds will produce less drag on your car and save you money. Air-conditioning will lower your fuel economy by 10 to 20%.
Other Good Tips
14. Remove snow tires in the summer driving season. Winter tires are heavier and has deeper tread which will cause you to use more fuel.
15. When buying a new car, look for fuel efficient models. At these fuel prices, you’ll only look stupid for buying a gas-guzzler. Also keep in mind that sun-roofs will increase your fuel consumption.
I hope these tips will help you save some money during these trying times. If you have other tips, please by all means add them to the comments area. Any tried and true tips will be most helpful. Remember to share it with everyone. They will appreciate it.
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