Saturday, December 21st, 2024
I need to make a confession. I’m having an affair. I’m madly in love with my car, that big chunk of candy red shiny steel with those sexy black rubber tires. It gets me around town. In fact, at times, I love it more than my family, friends, and as much as my dog.
Disclaimer: Okay, I don’t love it to the point I want to sleep with it, although I did sleep in it several times. One thing for certain, I just simply can’t get enough of it, and I know I’m not alone.
We all love our cars. Anyone who’s ever bought a car, especially a brand new car, will say it was love at first sight. That momentarily, the love extended beyond their partner.
But it’s a finicky mistress. It can break down, get towed away for poor behavior. It needs constant upkeep, new tires, insurance. Worst of all, it has a bad drinking problem. The gas it guzzles is becoming too expensive.
Need More Gas In Tank
Whether driving cross-town or cross-country, what everybody wants is to save money at the gas station.
Regardless of what the make and model of your car is, the estimated gas mileage that’s stated by the automaker, is exactly what the term implies – it’s an estimate.
There are important variables that goes into it, such as how you drive, what level of fuel octane you use, and how you maintain your vehicle.
The Type Of Gas To Use
Let’s begin with what type of fuel you put into your gas tank. Making the right choice at the gas pump, is an important step to take when it comes to keeping your car running efficiently and economically.
Make sure you follow the owner’s manual recommendation, for the right octane level for your car.
Using a higher-octane gas than what the manufacturer recommends, offers no benefit and will cost you more out of your pocket.
So unless your engine is constantly knocking and pinging, buying the higher priced higher-octane gas is just a waste of money.
The Gas Saving Devices
Be skeptical and wary about some of the dazzling gizmos and gadgets, promising to improve your gas mileage.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested over 100 of these supposed gas-saving gadgets, including “mixture enhancers” and fuel line magnets, such as the ones you see on TV.
Not surprisingly, what they found is that just a few of them provided any fuel economy benefits like they promised.
Save Gas By Driving Defensively
When it comes to stretching your gas budget, how you choose to drive can be just as important as how far or fast you drive.
Try to stay within the posted speed limits at all times. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.
Avoid all unnecessary idling as it wastes fuel, which will cost you money, while polluting the air.
You can simply improve your gas mileage when driving in town by up to 5% percent, by just driving “safely” and defensively.
Sudden acceleration, putting your foot down “pedal to the metal,” does is wears out your engine, your brakes and your pocket book.
What’s also recommended is using the cars “overdrive” gears and cruise control as often as possible, as doing so will significantly improve fuel economy, especially when you’re driving down the highway.
You don’t need to be a professional mechanic or an “Indy” driver, to keep your engine purring at its fuel-efficient best.
6 Tips To Save Money On Gas
1.) – Try out some of the gas saving mobile phone apps that are available on the Internet. Gas Buddy is one of the best!
2.) – Tune your engine according to your owner’s manual. Always change your oil regularly, which can increase gas mileage by an average of 4% percent
3.) – What clean oil does is reduces wear and tear that’s caused by friction between moving parts, while removing harmful substances from the engine
(NOTE: Motor oil that indicates it’s “Energy Conserving” on the American Petroleum Institutes performance symbol, contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy)
4.) – Check and replace your air filters regularly, as you could potentially increase gas mileage by up to 10% percent
5.) – An extra 100 pounds of weight in the trunk, can reduce fuel economy by up to 3% percent. So remove all non-essential stuff you don’t need, which can save you money at the pump
6.) – Always make sure you keep your tires filled to the manufacturers recommended air pressure level at all times, to save gas and reduce wear and tear on the tires
Keep in mind that the only sure-fire guaranteed way to get more bang out of your gallon of gas, is to be a fuel-conscious driver when behind the wheel.
Combine all of your errands when out shopping or on the road, and also consider car-pooling whenever it’s convenient.