Top tips on how to save money on gas
In light of months of record and continually fluctuating gas prices in the United States these days, the question on many people’s minds is how to save money on gas.
Prior to this time, most of us had been quite lax and uninterested in what steps we could take to economize on fuel consumption. But now, with high gas prices hitting us hard, not just because of the cost of filling our tanks, but also in terms of the costs of other goods and services, including food, we’ve become much more sensitive to issue. So what can we do to save money on gas?
Here are some practical gas saving tips to help you save money on your gas purchase:
- Drive at lower speeds. In many states, the legal speed for highway driving has now increased back to 70 miles per hour. The US Department of Energy estimates that for every 5 miles per hour drivers drive over 60 mph, it is essentially the same as paying an extra 20 cents per gallon for gas. So go slower!
- Use your cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed saves fuel.
- Plan your adventures and combine trips. Instead of rushing to the grocery store this morning, going to the pharmacy this afternoon, and hitting the bank tonight, try scheduling your time so you can complete all three errands in the same trip. This saves you time, gas and money.
- Share the car. I know, I hate it too, but I do. You want to be an individual, you don’t necessarily want to have to strike up a witty conversation on the way to and from work or school, but if you go to the same place every day and there are other people nearby doing the same thing, it really doesn’t make sense. do not carpool. It saves everyone money on fuel costs and is a tremendous benefit to the environment.
- To walk. When taking short trips for sightseeing or business, and when feasible, park your car in one spot and walk between stopping places. If you visit the mall, instead of getting in and out of your car, moving your car around several times, and driving to different parts of the mall, leave your car parked and walk between stores.
If you’re more serious about saving money on gas or need to save more than a few bucks here and there, it may be time to buy a more fuel-efficient car. ConsumerReports.org is an excellent resource for accurate and unbiased information on car buying. If, in the course of your daily work or other activities, you must drive more than a few miles, it is certainly worth considering whether it is a good idea to buy a new car with better fuel economy.
Recently, there has been a growing interest among American consumers in cars that run on hybrid power. “Hybrid cars” are those that have more than one power source. Hybrid cars currently commercially available are those that are gasoline/electric hybrids. Several companies, including Toyota and Ford, have made hybrid models available to the public, including the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape hybrid, which continue to grow in interest and popularity with consumers.
Another strategy to save money on the purchase of gasoline is to use alternative fuels. Ethanol, made from corn, has been commercially available for several years, and many current car models run on ethanol or unleaded gasoline.
Another fuel alternative that has gained a lot of interest in recent months is the use of a mixture of water and gasoline, which is supposed to increase gas mileage and greatly reduce fuel costs.
Regardless of the strategy you choose, learning how to save money on gas can only benefit you in the long run, help you save money, and help the environment.
