To ease the pain at the pump, follow these easy tips.
1. Don’t tailgate. By keeping your distance from the car in front of you, you can take your foot off the gas pedal to slow down instead of slamming on your brakes.
Gas Savings: Driving aggressively lowers your gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% around town. (Seattle Times, April 16, 2011)
2. Drive the speed limit. Stay within the posted speed limits, and your vehicle will sip fuel instead of gulp it.
Gas Savings: Speeding along at 75mph, as opposed to 65mph, can increase fuel consumption by 25%. (US Federal Trade Commission)
Close your windows when you’re on the highway. While air conditioning reduces fuel efficiency, you’ll create more drag on your car with the windows open. However, when you’re cruising around town, turn off the AC and run the fan instead.
3. Reduce weight. Remove anything you don’t need from the car. This includes ski racks in the summer, bike racks and golf clubs in the winter and luggage racks when you’re not travelling.
Gas Savings: Extra junk in the trunk can reduce mileage by 2% or 8 cents/gallon, while sports racks can reduce mileage by 5%. (Seattle Times, April 16,2011)
4. Keep tires properly inflated. Look in your owner’s manual or on the side of the door to find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. However, don’t over inflate them as you’ll reduce the tire grip and could cause an accident.
Gas Savings: Underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption by 3%. (Seattle Times, April 16, 2011)
Keep your car in top shape: change the air filter, spark plugs and fluid as advised by your owner’s manual. While the fuel savings of a new air filter is debatable, there’s no doubt that keeping your car in good condition will improve its performance.
5. Don’t idle! Turn your car off if you won’t be moving for more than a minute.
Gas Savings: Idling can cost up to half gallon of gas an hour, especially if your car has a large engine. (Investopedia, March 2, 2011)
6. Avoid rush hour and combine your trips. By anticipating traffic conditions and combining trips, you’ll keep your engine warm and reduce fuel consumption.
Gas Savings: Improves fuel economy by 5-10%. (US Federal Trade Commission)
Smart Ways to Reduce Fuel Costs
- Carpool to work: Form a carpool with neighbors or visit ERideShare.com or CarPoolConnect.com to find a carpool near you.
- Bike or walk if possible: Both options are good for your health and your wallet.
- Take public transportation: Many automobile insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who take public transportation to work.
Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, 5-STAR
RE/MAX Country
(360) 400-3475
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