How to save up to $100 a month on gas for any vehicle
1. Check the owner’s manual
Check your vehicle owner’s manual to find the recommended preventive maintenance schedule for your vehicle. By performing preventative maintenance on your vehicle, you will not only improve the life of your vehicle, but you will also improve your vehicle’s fuel economy. A dirty air filter or a failed spark plug can greatly reduce fuel consumption. Also check your owner’s manual to make sure you are using the correct grade of gasoline.
2. Do not overfill the tank
We’ve all been there just twenty cents away and the pump clicks to let us know the tank is full. It’s much easier to calculate your credit card bill or pay the cashier with a bill. Unfortunately, the gas evaporates quickly and every drop you put in after that first click usually evaporates again.
3. Check engine light on
If you’re like most people and see your check engine light come on and your car isn’t showing any signs of trouble, you’re going to drive it until you have time to check it out. Most of the time, that irritating little light that comes on you won’t feel or hear a difference in your engine. Unfortunately those lights are there for a reason and if they are on that means your engine is not working properly. It could be a number of different problems, most of which will lead to excessive fuel consumption. If you have a parts store near you, most of them will run a computer test and tell you the problem for free, and replacement parts are usually easy to install.
4. Use fuel injection cleaner
Dirty fuel lines and fuel injections can make your engine use more gas and cause major damage to the cylinder walls. Use a fuel injection cleaner after every oil change or every 3,000 miles.
5. Pay attention to gas prices on your daily route
Pay attention to your daily route and find the lowest gas prices and refuel there when it’s time. There are websites like gasbuddy.com where you can find the lowest gas price in your city, however you need to make sure the trip is cheap. Some people have become so obsessed with saving money on gas that they’ll drive across town for just a couple of cents. Remember that gas mileage is worse in the city.
6. Plan your trips
Plan your trips to the supermarket, the mall, etc. ahead so you can work near stops on a single trip or on your way home from work. Drive less = use less gas!
7. Check tire pressure level weekly
Your tires will have the recommended psi (pounds per square inch) written on the sidewall of the tire. You can pick up an air pressure gauge at your local parts store for about a dollar, and most convenience stores have an air tank you can use for a couple of quarters. Check this weekly and inflate to the recommended psi on the sidewall of your tire. Under-inflated tires will affect fuel economy and will also wear tires out prematurely.
8. Drive at a constant speed
This one is a bit of a no-brainer, if you’re constantly braking and accelerating, you’re going to use more fuel. Use cruise control whenever possible and, if you have a manual transmission, put it in neutral when you slow down.
9. Park away from the sun
As I mentioned before, the gas can evaporate right out of your tank. Park your vehicle in the shade or place your fuel tank out of the sun.
