We’ve seen gas prices sink during global recessions, and skyrocket in times of an economic boom, but does it really matter what demand is like on any given day? Not with current technology. In the long run, there’s only one way for gas prices to go – and that’s up. Still, governments and individuals vow to break their dependency, only after oil (among other things) has hit the fan.
Across the globe, developing countries are experiencing unprecedented economic growth – feeding the demand for oil. This monstrous demand isn’t met with increased supply. Many experts estimate that oil production will reach it’s global peak by the year 2020 – which some claim, may even set off a global depression if alternatives aren’t found.
What can we as individuals do about the situation? We can start by saving money. Doesn’t sound so bad does it? Without further ado, 35 tips to save gas, and your hard earned money:
Worthwhile & Recommended
1. Walk – Nobody ever said being responsible and saving money was easy. Is driving to your mailbox at the end of the street really necessary?
2. Bike – Many people are now starting to bike to work. Not only is it a healthy alternative to driving, it may even be a faster solution during rush hour. There’s no better way to save on gas.
3. Public Transportation – Bus, train, subway – pretty straightforward.
4. Carpool – Not only do you save gas money, but you may also qualify to drive in the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane. Wave goodbye to the suckers stuck in traffic!
5. Car Shop – We would all love to own a new Lamborghini Reventon, but they get terrible gas mileage – and of course, coming up with $1.5 million may be a bit of a problem. Honda Civics will get you a lot further on a tank of gas, and their new models are quite nice. A variety of hybrid vehicles are worth checking out as well, including many SUVs that are making the switch.
6. Moderate Driving – You can read gas saving tips all day long. The cold hard fact is, this is the one you need to be following if you’re looking for substantial gas savings from your current vehicle. Aggressive drivers can save upwards of 38% on gas. That’s not chump change. Speeding will cost you at the pump, and earn you a visit with the city judge. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 65 mph. Seeing how fast you can get from 0-60? A surefire way to empty your tank. Needless to say, aggressive driving leads to aggressive braking. Brake… accelerate… brake… accelerate – a vicious cycle that leads to a plummet in fuel economy.
Going the Distance
7. Tire Maintenance – Alignment, balancing, and rotation of tires will all help to save gas. However, one of the easiest tips to saving gas money is to keep your tires properly inflated. You’d be surprised how many people have never checked their tire pressure before – ever.
Some recommend checking tire pressure every time you fill up on gas, but even once a month is better than never (and usually sufficient). Tire pressure alone could boost your fuel economy by over 3%.
8. Reduce Weight – According to the Federal Trade Commission, “an extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce fuel economy by up to 2%. Take the bowling ball out of your back seat, remove the bike rack from last year’s camping trip, and toss out the kids you don’t need. Ok, keep the kids, but seriously, get rid of any dead bodies in the trunk. You’ll save a ton of money on gas.
9. Recommended Octane – Using a higher octane gas than recommended in the owner’s manual, offers no benefit – again, no benefit. It does however add to the amount of money you waste on nonsense, if you’re into that sort of thing.
10. Combine Errands – If you have errands that are on the way to each other, it’s only logical to do them all at once, in an attempt to save gas.
11. Change Oil – Have the oil changed according to the owner’s manual. Save money on gas, and more importantly, keep your car running longer.
12. Tune Ups – Again, go by the owner’s manual. It came with the car for a reason, because usually the people who built it, know more than you do. There are plenty of parts such as clogged air filters that could be causing your car to lose out on good gas mileage.
13. Go Manual – Manual transmissions get better fuel economy, but this may change in the future. Automatic transmissions are becoming very efficient in saving gas.
14. Alternative Route – Are you using the best route to get to work, school, or any other activity that requires driving on a regular basis? You may be taking the long way, or the road congested with never-ending traffic. Look into other options.
15. Location – If you’re driving 30 miles to work out at a gym, or shop at your favorite grocery store, you may want to consider alternatives closer to home. Distance should also be a factor when purchasing a home, or finding a new job. Nobody wants to drive an hour to and from work everyday, and you can bet you’ll pay for the trip in gas money.
You Decide
16. Compare Prices – Using GasBuddy, you can compare prices from over 100,000 stations. You can even use them to receive the latest prices via text message.
17. Use Credit Cards – Many credit card companies, offer cards that provide cash back rewards for gas purchases.
18. Don’t Use Credit Cards – Contradicting and confusing right? Some gas stations are beginning to charge extra for using credit cards, in order to cover merchant fees.
19. Join Clubs – Many grocery stores, and especially wholesale clubs such as Costco, offer decent member discounts on gas prices.
20. Don’t Idle – There’s a common myth that turning off your car and restarting it uses more gas. Unless you’re driving a 1967 Oldsmobile, that’s not the case. Modern fuel injectors are more advanced. Of course, starters will eventually need to be replaced as well. Don’t turn the key at every red-light, but if you don’t plan on going anywhere for 5 minutes, shut your engine off.
21. Remove Snow Tires – Here’s a hint: large tires with deep tread do not belong on your car during the hot summer months.
22. Overdrive Gears – Decreases engine speed, which reduces engine wear and saves gas.
23. Cruise Control – Helps to maintain a constant speed; especially effective when you’re on a highway with light traffic.
24. Motor Oil – Use the correct grade of motor oil, which will ensure that there isn’t any unnecessary engine friction. You may even decide to use synthetic motor oil, keeping friction to a minimum. The higher cost of synthetic oil will offset the savings on gas, but will also keep your engine in better shape.
In Theory
25. Conserve – To prevent overflow, don’t top off your tank with gas. Before removing the nozzle from your gas tank, shake it a bit so that gas isn’t dripping on the pavement. Before driving off, make sure the gas cap is tight – limiting evaporation.
26. Windows – In theory, keeping your windows up will decrease air resistance, which in turn, will increase your fuel economy.
27. A/C – Again, in theory, if you use air conditioner sparingly, you’ll save gas. Anyone interested in driving through Texas during the summer, with windows rolled up, and A/C off?
28. Fuel Treatments – Treatments can sometimes help to clean and protect your engine. However, they aren’t always necessary, and may even be harmful. Read your owner’s manual, and talk to a mechanic that you trust, before falling victim to hyped up marketing. This includes gas-saving gadgets seen on late night infomercials.
29. De-Ice – Instead of just freeing your windshield after a cold winter night, clear the ice from your entire car. Ice can add a good deal of weight and wind resistance, which again, will decrease your gas mileage.
30. Don’t Fill Up – Another unproven theory is that you get better gas mileage on the last quarter of your tank, than you do with a full tank. Remember, weight can cause your gas mileage to decrease.
31. Leave Early, Stay Late – It may be beneficial to avoid rush hour. Stop-and-go driving in heavy traffic will significantly reduce your gas mileage, and also cause more wear and tear on your car.
32. Excessive Warming – On a cold winter morning, letting your engine warm for 10 minutes is ridiculous. Two minutes is plenty.
33. Shade – Parking in the shade and out of the scorching hot sun, may prevent gas evaporation and reduce the amount of air conditioning needed to cool off.
34. Landscape – Coming up on a hill? Ease up on the gas pedal, so that once you reach the peak, you can allow your car to glide down, without braking much.
35. Late Night/Early Morning – Fill up during the coolest hours of the day, when the density of gasoline is maximized. Stations charge you based on the volume of gasoline, not density.
Have you found any of these tips useful? What are your thoughts in regards to an energy crisis in the future? Are we doing enough to curb our addiction to oil?
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