Saving money at the gas pump sounds like an impossibility, but don’t give up just yet! Before you get to the gas pump, you will need to make some adjustments to how you are used to driving.
Some people would shut off their engines or make turns without the use of power to save on gas costs – this isn’t safe to do. And you don’t need to take these extreme measures to save on gasoline. All these techniques are proven to be safe and common sense ways to save money and gas consumption.
Don’t idle your car with the motor on. Shut off your engine if you’re stopping by the convenience store for a pack of cigarettes. While waiting to pick up the children at school, don’t idle in the long pickup line. Instead, walk to pick up your children and leave your car parked. You’ll also get some exercise.
Identify the shortest, most efficient route to work, school and grocery store. The traffic lights on the main street, for instance, may make this shortcut tough on your gas consumption. Instead, you can take a back route at a slower pace but save some gas in the process.
Be prepared to make multiple stops. You may not save as much as you think you would by driving to a gas station with the prices slashed. With gas prices so high, you can spend more driving to get a sale price than in what you actually save.
Slide, don’t slam. Take your foot off the accelerator when braking and let your car slow down until it stops. Let gravity work in your favor instead of racing to the light only to slam on the brake. It also results in increased tire wear.
If your car carries less gas on it, you can save on maintenance time and costs. Keep your engine tuned, oil changed and fluids at proper levels. Something as simple as keeping the proper type and amount of oil can improve operational efficiency.
Have your car regularly tuned up as well, because you’ll never know for sure if your car’s ignition, valve timing and fuel pump needs some adjustment. A regular tune-up routine is more affordable than spending more on gas due to the added wear and tear caused by not having the car tuned up.
Drive gently. As we mentioned, it all begins with changing your driving habits if you wish to improve your car’s fuel economy and save on gas. When the light turns green, gradually accelerate instead of doing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. (or Michael Schumacher) and taking right off. When going downhill, let gravity instead of gas power the descent. Only use air conditioning if you need it. Make sure you have released all hot air from your car before opting for air conditioning.
Remember, the next time you fill up at the pump, make note of the amount of gas, price per gallon and current vehicle mileage. You can choose any one of the above techniques or all of them, depending on how much gas you use.
As you pass by different gas stations on your driving route, take note of the prices. Instead of filling up at the highway entrance or main street, you could get better prices if you opt for a gas station a few blocks away.
Find rental car israel with our professional car rental comparison. Enjoy compare car hire rates in cities worldwide.
