6 Ways To Improve Gas Mileage Today!
Remember four-dollar-plus gas prices? Gas may have come down, but in most places it’s currently hovering around three dollars per gallon. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee it won’t continue to go up again. Well, here are six steps you can take to keep a little more of your money in your wallet and away from the pump.
1. Keep tires properly inflated. Improperly inflated tires are harder to spin and create extra drag. Check your tires frequently – it doesn’t cost anything! Not only will you save on gas, but you’ll be driving safer.
2. Make sure your tires are properly aligned. Improperly aligned tires also create drag, especially when going up hill and on turns, meaning your engine is burning more gas.
3. Check your brakes. You should have your brakes aligned and checked. Poorly aligned brakes mean you have to brake harder, and you lose or bleed off kinetic energy, resulting in lower gas mileage.
4. Make sure your engine is tuned. An improperly tuned engine can burn a LOT more gas than necessary. Have dirty or worn spark plugs replaced.
5. Limit idling. When you are idling, you are getting exactly zero miles per gallon. while it takes more gas to start your car than it does to idle, you can actually save gas by shutting off your engine if you are going to be idle more than 30 seconds.
6. Improve your driving habits. Learn to accelerate less, do your errands during off-peak times when there is less traffic, think ahead and combine trips whenever possible. Avoid congestion, and especially stop and go traffic.
There are a lot of ways to improve gas mileage. Start be visiting sites like www.gasforlessmoney.com and start putting these gas-saving tips into practice. A gas mileage improvement of just 10% actually translates into a savings of $5-$10 by reducing how frequently you have to fill your tank!
The author is currently working through her Accelerated Nursing Programs.
