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Saving money on gas is a nice idea but when you look at the lists of ways you can save money on gas you start to remember why it is that you werent so good at it last time gas prices were this high. Many of the gas savings tips require some form of planning ahead and in our busy lives these are easy to forget or put off until later.
So keep doing these 10 things and youll be sure to burn more money than youd like at the pump. Ifyou get tired ofpaying more than everyone else for gas, try cutting out one or more of these gas wasting habits and see how it lowers your gas bill.
1) Not planning your tripsMaking multiple trips out that could have been combined into one big trip is an easy way to burn through extra gas. If the stores you are shopping at are all in the same direction then youre doubling up on the miles to and from your house. It may seem like a small amount, but depending on the distance and how consistently you make this mistake you could easily burn through hundreds of dollars per gas every year.
2) Owning a gas guzzlerThe easiest way to waste money on gas is to drive a vehicle that chugs gasoline. If you have the option of a vehicle that gets 17 miles per gallon and one that gets 26 miles per gallon thats an enormous difference. On a 200 mile trip the gas guzzler will use an extra 4 gallons. At $3.35 per gallon thats $13.40 for that single trip. Choosing a car that sips gas rather than chugs it is one of the easiest ways to not waste money on gas.
3) Neglecting car maintenanceCar maintenance can be expensive. Oil changes, tire rotations, oxygen sensors, and fuel filters can really add up if you stick to a strict maintenance schedule. But avoiding these items keeps your car out of peak condition. Your cars engine will burn fuel more efficiently which means better gas mileage if you maintain a strict schedule for these items.
4) Ignoring tire pressureMost vehicles need their tires to be inflated in the 32 to 34 PSI range. This keeps the tire at the appropriate size to perform safely. It also keeps them in condition to perform efficiently in miles per gallon. Tire pressure can change drastically if you dont watch it. Aim to check your pressure at least once per month.
5) Carrying extra weightHave you added some weight in your trunk to provide better traction during winter? For starters this may or not prove effective. Even if it does help with traction many people will leave that extra weight in the trunk all year long. Adding weight means it takes more power to move your vehicle. More power means more gas burned.
6) Driving above the speed limitFor most vehicles the optimal speed to highest gas mileage is around 55 miles per hour. If youre driving at the speed limit of 70 miles per hour youre already above the optimum range. The higher your speed the further down the miles per gallon curve you travel. Plus youre risking a speeding ticket, and youre really not getting to your destination that much faster.
7) Paying interest on gas purchasesMany people use a gas credit card to pay for gas purchases to earn points or cash back. Thats all well and good if you pay the bill off every month. However, one slip up and youll find yourself paying interest and financing charges on that gas expense. Thats a great way to waste money on gas.
8 ) Driving aloneSharing the drive into work with another person could cut your commuting fuel costs in half. Not only that, if you alternate who drives, it can make your car last longer as well. Of course carpooling is a hassle and its no fun having to wait on the other person when theyre stuck late at work. However, if gas prices go high enough, ride-sharing might start to sound a lot more attractive.
9) Paying convenient pricesIts easier to go to the gas station close to your home on your way home from work. But that station may have consistently higher prices than other stations that are still in your area. You can use consumer reporting services like Gas Buddy to see where the cheapest reported price is in your area.
10) Driving aggressivelyAggressive acceleration followed by aggressive braking followed by another round of acceleration is a great way to waste money on gas. By driving more smoothly youll increase your miles per gallon and save money over time.
