Gasoline prices across the nation topped out at more than $3.60 a gallon as April ended. That's the news from the Energy Information Agency, which tracks fuel costs across the country. Prices have been skyrocketing due to the weakening dollar and heavy speculation in world markets and don't look to be headed south anytime soon.
 |
| Save on
gas |
|
|
|
|
|
These gasoline prices send many of us into panicked flashbacks of the fuel crunches in the summer of 1980 and the mid-1970s. Thankfully, we learned a few good habits back then. Many Americans traded in their eight-cylinder gas-guzzlers for pipsqueak cars with small engines and better mileage
Then came the boom of the late '90s, and, oh, how quickly we forgot. Though most of us still pump our own gas, we've fallen into bad habits again. We've embraced the gas-guzzling SUV and dawdle, idling, in drive-through lines.
But you can hold down the number of times you have to stand at the gas pump, aghast, watching the numbers spin. These 15 tips will help you cut fuel consumption:
Car maintenance
1.
Keep the tires inflated properly. This one is simple and a potential lifesaver. Underinflated tires waste fuel and wear out the tire tread. Also, check tires regularly for alignment and balance.
2. A well-tuned engine
burns less gas. Get regular tuneups and follow through with routine maintenance.
The right parts and fresh oil keep your engine happy and less thirsty for gas.
3. Get
the junk out of the trunk. A weighed-down car uses more fuel. For every extra
250 pounds your engine hauls, the car loses about one mile per gallon in fuel
economy. Carry only the basic emergency equipment and items you really need.
Gas
shopping
4. Buy the lowest grade (octane) of gasoline that
is appropriate for your car. Check your owner's manual for this information. As
long as your engine doesn't knock or ping, the fuel you're using is fine. You
can save hundreds of dollars a year.
5. Pay cash at stations
that charge extra for credit cards.
6. Don't top off the gas
tank. Too much gas will just slosh or seep out. Why waste those extra pennies?
Driving
7. Drive intelligently; don't make fast starts or sudden stops.
You're just overexerting your engine and burning extra fuel. Gradual acceleration
also helps automatic transmissions run better. Engine-revving wastes fuel, too.
“The faster you drive, the more gas you use.”
8. Lighten up on the accelerator. The faster you drive, the more
gas you use. Speed limits have gone up around most of the nation, but you don't
have to see your fuel consumption go up drastically as well. For example, driving
at 55 mph rather than 65 mph can improve your fuel economy by two miles per gallon.
9. Avoid long warm-ups. Even on cold winter mornings, your
car doesn't need more than a minute to get ready to go. Anything more and you're
just burning up that expensive fuel.
10. Combine errands into
one trip and plan your stops for the most efficient route. You'll save yourself
time and money.
11. Do not rest your left foot on the brake.
The slightest pressure could cause a drag that will demand additional gas use
-- and wear out the brakes sooner.
Other good habits
12. Tighten up that gas cap. Make sure it's on securely. Buy a new
one if your current cap doesn't fit snugly. Gas easily evaporates from the tank
if it has an escape.
13. Buy a fuel-efficient car. When pricing
cars, factor in long-term fuel costs. Keep in mind that sunroofs add to wind resistance,
lowering the mileage per gallon.
14. Be smart with the air conditioning.
On the highway, closed windows decrease air resistance, so run the air conditioner.
But in stop-and-go traffic, shutting off the air conditioning and opening the
windows can lighten your fuel use. Air conditioning can lower your fuel economy
by 10 percent to 20 percent.
15. Remove snow tires in good weather.
Deep tread and big tires use more fuel. |
