How To Save Cash When You Get Gas

Owning or leasing a vehicle is a grand luxury, but with luxury comes costs. Of the inevitable costs, the one that occurs most often is having to put fuel in your vehicle. Depending on your car’s make and model fill-ups can range from two and a half weeks to every four or five days (my current predicament).

A simple fact that can break your pockets but doesn’t have to. There are a few ways you can save money before getting to the pump.

 

Saving Gas Money

Shorten Engine Warm-Ups

When I learned how to drive, I was instructed to start the car and leave it running until the engine temp was warm. Well, it’s been found that most vehicles don’t need this. Typically, modern engines only need to be warmed up for no more than 30 seconds (maybe one minute at the most), and actually doing so is horrible for the environment and gas usage.

Slow Driving Speed

I won’t lie to you, when I got my Mustang, I loved hearing the roar of the engine when I’d be cruising on the highway. These days, not so much. Speeding increases fuel consumption which makes trips to the gas station, not much fun. On the highway, speeds over 50 mph will cause fuel economy to drop off quickly.

Be Easier When Braking and Accelerating

As frustrating as they are when we’re in a hurry, red lights are inevitable, but how you get to them may be affecting your budget more than you think. Braking excessively not only wears out brake pads more quickly but also uses more gas. Easing into a stop and easing out can greatly assist the efficiency of your vehicle.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Sometimes we don’t think about tire pressure until we have a flat, but regular checks and inflation reduces friction thus bettering your gas mileage. You can either have your own inflation device in your car which plugs into your outlet or utilize the nearest gas station that actually may have free compressed air you can use.

Use Cruise Control When Possible

As a commuter who takes the freeway twice a day each week, cruise control is the only way I travel (within reason of course). This keeps the engine running at the same speed regulating gas usage.

Maintaining Your Car

There are many other maintenance tips that can assist with gas conservation such as regular tune-ups and oil changes, but these five tips are fairly inexpensive ways to save. You can always consider a gas credit card; however, make sure interest doesn’t sneak up on you and end up costing more than the savings received from being a member.

 

Written By Silk Hindus