With gas prices higher than ever, saving a few bucks at the pump has never been more important. So here are 20 easy ways to reduce how much you spend on gas:
1.Use the internet to find the least expensive gas. You can check out sites such as Gas Near U or Gas Buddy to find out which gas stations sell the least expensive gas.
2.Use the air conditioner on the highway rather than rolling down the windows. At high speeds, having the windows down can greatly reduce gas mileage. But in city driving, it is best to keep the windows down and the air conditioner off.
3.Buy the recommended gas for you car. Most cars sold today run on regular octane gas. While some believe that buying higher octane gas improves gas mileage, the simple fact is it doesn't. All it does is cost you more at the pump.
4.Use credit cards that come with gas rewards cash back. Some credit cards can save you up to 5% cash back on all gas and car maintenance purchases.
5.Replace a dirty air filter to improve gas mileage. The Federal Trade Commission estimates this can increase gas mileage up to 10%.
6.Keep snow tires on your car only during the winter months. The deep tread and size of snow tires cause your car's engine to work harder and consumer more fuel.
7.Get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Clean oil improves gas mileage by reducing friction. And did you know there is energy saving oil available? Look for oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute, which contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
8.Keep tires properly inflated, which can improve your gas mileage by as much as 3%.
9.Use the recommended motor oil for your car, which can save you 1-2% at the pump.
10.Rotate tires and make sure the car is properly aligned. The even wear on your car's tires will improve your car's performance and gas mileage.
11.Ask your boss if you can telecommute to work. Telecommuting even one day a week will reduce your gas consumption to and from work by 20%.
12.Work nine hours a day and take every other Friday off. Federal employees have this option, and many employers are offering it, too.
13.Carpool with co-workers. If you ride into work with three other people and split the cost of gas, you have each reduced your individual costs by 75%.
14.Plan your errands so that you make fewer trips around town. Not only does this save a lot in gas, but it also saves a lot of time.
15.Walk or bike whenever it is practical to do so. Biking to work one or two days a week will save a substantial amount of gas.
16.Do not go over 60 miles per hour. At speeds faster than 60 mph, gas efficiency declines significantly.
17.Drive nice and easy. Quick starts and stops are bad on your car, and terrible on gas mileage.
18.Remove unnecessary weight from your car. Reducing the load by 100 lbs. can improve your gas mileage by 2%.
19.Avoid loading up the roof-rack. In addition to weighing you down, items on top of your car increases wind resistance that lowers your gas mileage.
20.Keep your car's engine tuned according to the owner's manual, which can improve gas mileage by 4%.
