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Ways To Save Money On Gas

By: Chris Channing Gas is something that just can't be avoided- anyone with a need to get somewhere across town or in need of travel will likely have to shell out money in the process. With gas prices becoming ever higher, it becomes important to get thrifty in the process, so as to be economical on the matter and save money as a result.

It has long been said that using the air conditioning or heat excessively will drain gas mileage. This is true, but only in certain situations. When cars have their windows down while going high speeds, it has been proven that the drag that the window creates is less fuel efficient than having the air conditioning on at a moderate level. Thus, it's best to use air conditioning when traveling fast, and less so when at "stop and go" locations.

Any kind of extra stress that is exerted on one's motor will always cause more fuel to be burned. This means that fast accelerations and high speeds will waste much more fuel than the contrary. Revving an engine or even stopping too suddenly can degrade gas mileage. In this case, it's best to take the "granny approach" and drive with extra caution.

Even though car manuals sometimes claim that cars should be run on the highest grades of fuel, this is not true. Cars that can accept low grades of fuel should, since this gives cheaper prices for just about the same amount of mileage. Purchasing gas with a higher octane rating may help improve mileage, but not enough to actually justify the price difference.

Two other options help dictate gas mileage: weight and tire inflation. Weight, for instance, might be putting extra drag on one's engine, or even causing a car to be less aerodynamic via a lopsided vehicle. Excess weight can also put more strain on tires, which should always be checked for accurate inflation. A tire that is not properly inflated will always decrease gas mileage considerably.

Lastly, it should be noted that when "warming up" a car, it shouldn't take more than a minute or two before the car is safe to drive even in winter conditions. There is no use in warming up a car longer than necessary, as this burns extra fuel. When wanting to listen to music while sitting idle, it is also best to turn a car's ignition to the setting that only drains the battery- but be careful not to do so for long or the car may not start again.

Closing Comments

Gas prices are just going to keep increasing as demand continues to be so high. The only relief is going to come through careful conservation, buying fuel efficient or hybrid cars, and maintaining a certain sense of responsibility when having to drive. Car pooling with others or riding a bike to locations is much better for the economy, environment, and one's wallet- so don't miss a chance to leave the car behind on your next excursion.