How to Save on Auto Fuel

In a trying economy with gasoline prices up, saving money on fuel is on everyone’s priority list. By making a few small changes in your routine and keeping an eye toward conservation, you can save hundreds of dollars in a year in auto fuel costs.

Instructions

1. Shop around. But don’t drive around. Burning fuel to save fuel is a no-win proposition. However, if the gas station you pass every day on your way to work offers ten-cents-off on Tuesdays, then start filling your tank on Tuesdays. Same idea with that station who’s always just 10 or 15 cents below his competitor. If your tank holds 15 gallons and you can save 10 cents per every two fill-ups a week, that’s $156 in a year.

2. Choose the right car for the right driver. If you’re a two car family and Mom’s commute is into the city while Dad works out of the house, she shouldn’t be in the SUV. In this case, mom should be driving the smaller, more compact vehicle.

3. Combine your auto trips whenever possible. If the dry cleaners is next to the post office is next to the bank, that’s one trip, not three. A little planning can save you a lot of money.

4. Get your foot off the pedal. While vehicles vary at which rate of speed they reach optimal fuel efficiency, the general consensus is that you see a marked decrease in efficiency over 60 mph. By some estimates, every five miles over the speed equals to a loss of fuel efficiency comparable to 25 cents per gallon. Using the same tank/fill up schedule as in step one, by lowering your speed just five mph, you can save $390 in a year.

5. Don’t brake and accelerate like a racecar driver. Those aggressive stops and starts are horrible on your mileage and your engine. Use cruise control on the highway to maintain a constant rate of speed.

6. Take the junk out of your truck. The less your vehicle weighs the better the fuel efficiency, so if you’ve still got a fifty pound bag of sand in your car’s trunk from last winter, get it out.

7. Maintain your automobile. Inflate and regularly check tire pressure. Improperly inflated tires force your car to work harder and burn more fuel. Be certain air filters are clean to most efficiently use its fuel.

8. Use your overdrive gear. Cars equipped with an overdrive gear get better gas mileage when utilizing it, thus saving money.

9. Invest in a GPS. Particularly if you frequently travel in unfamiliar territory, a GPS that gets you directly to your destination without getting you lost can save you hundreds of dollars in fuel costs.