High costs at the pump have you troubled? Find yourself at the pump yet again dishing out another $50 - $100? Well, you're not alone. The rising price of gas is on most of our minds and pocketbooks these days leaving us wondering if and when there will be a reprieve. Until gas prices do normalize, there are some things that you can do to stretch that next tank of gas. Here are 10 tips that should save you a few extra bucks at the pump: 1. Instead of running multiple errands, consolidate your trips into one thus eliminating significant and unnecessary travel. 2. In congested, urban areas, avoid rush hour traffic. Gridlock and its start and stop travel is one of the quickest ways to drain that gas tank. 3. Resist the temptation to drive alone. Carpool with your co-workers. Carpooling with three of your colleagues means you only drive every fourth week saving you a bundle in fuel costs over the course of a year. 4. In cold weather climates, have an engine block heater installed. This will reduce the amount of fuel needed to warm the car on those cold winter mornings. 5. Resist turning on the AC at the first sign of warm weather. Air conditioning burns up allot of fuel. If you're driving in the city, a better alternative is to roll down the windows and open all vents. Highway driving is a different story though. The drag from open windows can also result in your burning more fuel. If you have to, roll up the windows and place the AC on the lowest setting. 6. Remove roof racks and overhead carriers when not in use. The drag created by these will result in less fuel economy. 7. Remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle that will cause the engine to work harder and use more fuel. 8. Ensure your vehicle is tuned up on a regular basis. A properly tuned vehicle operates more efficiently resulting in the consumption of less fuel. 9. Alter your driving style. Do you accelerate quickly from a starting position? Gradually accelerating until you've reached your optimum speed will result in a significant gas savings over the long haul. 10. Routinely have your brakes and tire pressure checked. Poorly working brakes can result in your vehicle working harder and using more fuel. The same for your tires, under or over inflated tires will result in the consumption of more fuel. Following even just a few of these tips should save you some money. |
