Simple, Gas Saving Strategies for Your Summer Vacation
With gas prices hovering around $4 per gallon this summer, Americans will still be taking to the road, but many people will be taking shorter tips in a bid to conserve expenditures. One way drivers can save money this summer is by employing proven gas saving strategies, each of which offers a smart way to use less fuel and save money.
Let’s take a look at some important considerations as you head out this summer:
1. Make the grade - Use only the grade of gas your car requires. For most drivers, that means regular grade is sufficient and everything else is just a waste of money. Unless your owner’s manual says that plus or premium gasoline are required, you don’t need more expensive gasoline, which means you can save 10 to 25 cents per gallon by using regular.
2. Keep tires inflated – How often do you check your tire inflation levels? Do you know how much air your tires should take? A placard, usually found on the inside driver’s door of your car, outlines required air pressures for all four tires. Go by those numbers and rotate your tires before you take an extended trip, to extend tire life. Underinflated tires can reduce fuel economy by 1 to 3 percent. Importantly, underinflated tires are a safety issue. Check your spare tire too!
3. Observe the speed limit - When on a long trip, car occupants tend to come down with a case of “get-there-itis,” an infliction that can be at once dangerous as well as inefficient. You may be able to legally travel at 75 mph, but your fuel efficiency will suffer. Most cars operate efficiently at a lower average speed, usually around 62 to 65 mph according to EPA data. Use cruise control and you’ll keep your speed constant and may very well achieve if not exceed EPA highway fuel economy projections.
4. Shift into overdrive – Many of today’s modern transmissions automatically shift vehicles into overdrive which is the lowest possible and most fuel efficient gear for highway driving. Older models and manual transmissions require drivers to make that shift themselves, something you need to do in order to maximize fuel efficiency.
5. Drive with care – Needless to say, driving with care is the only way to drive. It also can save you plenty of gas. Fast starts, abrupt stops and other driving behaviors can take a toll on your gas mileage, especially when you are on the highway.
6. Weight and storage – For every 100 pounds of excess weight, your car’s gas mileage drops by 1 percent. Consider what you really need to bring along and what you don’t need to have on your trip and go light. A car carrier can be useful for storage, but that’s added weight and drag on your vehicle.
Likely, you’ve heard about other ways to reduce fuel consumption, including using certain devices supposedly designed to increase fuel economy. These devices don’t work! Instead, employ the gas saving measures as outlined herein and you can extend your driving range and reduce the impact on your wallet this summer.
Matthew C. Keegan is editor and publisher of “Auto Trends Magazine.” Matt is also a contributing writer for Andy’s Auto Sport and affiliated websites, an aftermarket supplier of quality auto parts including head lamps and Ford Mustang exhaust.
Article Source: Matthew Keegan
Simple, Gas Saving Strategies for Your Summer Vacation
