By Catherine Robinson
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For most people, not driving is not an option. In order to go grocery shopping, attend school, earn a living, or visit the doctor, you must drive a car. The high price of fuel in this country does require you to cut back wherever you can, but even that has its limits. Here are some helpful hints to save gas and adopt a few tricks regularly enough so they become a habit.
These tips will save you gas and money and help the planet at the same time. Give them a try.
Keeping track of your gas spending – How much gas do you put in the tank each week and how many miles do you travel on that tank of gas? These are important questions to answer before you get started. Only when you know your level of consumption can you fully understand what you need to do about it.
Consider the alternatives –
If only for one day a week, take the bus or subway or train into work. Use the extra time to get your thoughts together or catch up on a good book. You might even get some work done.
Share a ride -
Most businesses and schools have a bulletin board – either in a break room or online. Put up a poster asking about carpools in your area of town.
Don’t speed -
Experts say that 25% of the fuel consumed to drive your vehicle is caused by wind drag. If you slow down on average of only 10 mph, you can reduce your gas needs by 4 mpg.
Work from home -
Telecommuting is a reality for about 12 million employees in the United States. They work more than 8 hours per week and the trend is only going to continue to grow. Not only does it save you money and gas, working from home saves you time. You won’t miss all those traffic jams.
Relocate –
Consider moving closer to where you work. Living within walking distance will help you stay in shape by using your legs to get yourself into the office and keep you costs down as well.
Park and Ride -
Many urban or metropolitan areas have park and rides where you drive to the outskirts of town, park your car, and take a bus or subway the rest of the way into town. You could also park and walk, ride your bike, or carpool.
Faulty gas injectors -
Get a mechanic to check your vehicle for fouled gas injectors and change them out if found.
Maintenance -
Check the gap on your spark plugs, make sure your engine is properly tunes, pump up those tires, change the oil regularly, and check your fuel ratio. Adjust or replace parts, like air filters, as necessary. All of these issues can seriously affect a vehicle’s fuel economy.
Plan ahead -Plan the routes so that you choose the most efficient, and shortest, way to get there.
Don’t drive aggressively -
When you carelessly change lanes or speed up to get in front of the slow car ahead of you, you are doing more than being unsafe. You are costing yourself some gas. Take it easy and save yourself the headache and costs.
Stay alert -
If you notice something wrong with your car, take it in immediately.
Share your car -
If you are heading out to the mall, grocery store, post office, or even the county fair – ask around. Chances are someone you know could use a ride. Share the cost of gas and the benefit of good company during routine chores.
Just adjust –
Start your car after you’ve adjusted your seat, strapped in you and the kids and settled in and are ready to take off.
Give yourself plenty of time -
If you plan out your route and leave early, you won’t feel the pressure to gun ahead and waste gas. You will get there in plenty of time to find a good parking spot. (Although you may want to routinely park away from the building. During the day, this can be terrific exercise.)
Friendly competition –
Make it a game among friends, family, even your spouse to see who can save the most gas over a few weeks or even six months. If everyone saves a little, then everyone wins.
Leave one at home -
If you have more than one car in the garage, leave one at home. Choose the smallest car and use the other one for special occasions only.
Consider getting rid of one car –
If your family has more cars than you need, consider selling them off. Share the car you keep and take advantage of the alternatives in your town.
Drive less -
Combine errands and get more done at one time rather than making several trips. Try to set aside one day a week where you don’t drive at all. Walk, bike, or jog instead.
Turn it off properly –
With cars that have automatic transmission, turn off the ignition before shifting into park and setting the parking break. It will save a little bit of gas, but every little bit counts.
Avoid drive-thrus -
Drive thru windows lead to idling and a waste of gas.
Catherine Durkin Robinson is a contributing writer for BillSavings.com, your information resource and community for money-saving tips and offers so you can shop, compare, and save money on just about everything.
- cutting transportation costs
- Hybrids and auto insurance
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Robinson http://EzineArticles.com/?25-Ways-to-Save-Gas&id=2037033
Convert Your Car/Truck to BURN WATER as well as Gasoline–Click here NOW!
