7 Tips To Save Fuel When Gas Prices Are High
In some of the more recent weeks, gas prices seem to have skyrocketed. How do we make the most out of these historically high gas prices? Here are 7 fuel-saving tips to get the most out of your next fill-up.
1. Lighten The Load
The more items (and people) in your car, the more fuel it uses up. You probably don’t need to be carrying around that camping gear you used last summer or those bags of sand you bought for a project. Store unnecessary items elsewhere and save your fuel.
2. Don’t Add Too Many Accessories
Some accessories can be convenient for transporting items, but can also weigh down your car. For example, roof racks create extra weight and wind resistance when driving. When not in use, take off your accessories and store them until you need them again.
3. Do Not Idle
If you know you’re going to be stopped or parked for more than a few minutes, it’s best to turn of your vehicle’s engine. In the long run, turning off your engine will save you more fuel than idling. Many vehicles now have an automatic engine start and stop feature that can help with your fuel savings without even thinking about it.
4. Check Your Tires
When it comes to tires there are 2 things that can make your fuel go a long way: correct tire size and correct tire pressure. Using tires that are a different size tend to use up more fuel and can also prematurely damage your car. Driving with tires that are low on air uses more fuel to get the car moving, so make sure to check the tire pressure once in a while.
5. Get Your Car Serviced
Going for regular oil changes does wonders not only for extending the life of your car, but the habit can save you fuel as well since your car will be running at its optimal performance.
6. Turn off Air Conditioning
During the cooler months, switch off the A/C when you don’t need it. More often than not, you’ll be just as comfortable cruising with the windows down and getting that fresh air.
7. Be Conscious of Your Driving Habits
How you drive plays a big role in fuel savings. Gradually accelerating and decelerating rather than pumping the gas on your car will cost you a lot less. Also taking advantage of cruise control when you are driving down highways can bring you more bang for your buck!
