5 Quick Ways to Cut Your Gas Bill
The price of gasoline is unconscionable. Who would have thought it possible we’d be paying over $4.00 a gallon in some parts of the country, with talk of even higher prices down the road? In fact, AAA points out it's costing us an average 22 percent more for gas today than just a year ago. Many wonder when this will end. Some get mad. Others suck it up and just pay the price, figuring it will go away. It won’t. But what can you do about it?
After dismissing the thought of boycotting your local gas stations – a pleasant thought, but a move that won’t get the kids to school or you to work – you’re faced with thinking over some real options. We think of these, too … and here are some that come to mind. None of these involve dumping your car and getting a new one. We know that’s not always possible, especially if you’re in the middle of a lease with nowhere to go. Plus, if your vehicle is a larger model like an SUV that gets marginal fuel economy, its present sale or trade-in value probably leaves a lot to be desired. So, if you need to keep driving your everyday ride but just have to do something about the high gas costs that are wrecking your budget, then give these tips a shot.2. Ease off on the pedal, Speed Racer. Okay, maybe you’re not really hot rodding your way down the street, but chances are pretty good you’re not thinking about taking it easy from one traffic light to the next. Light accelerator pressure and a conscious effort to avoid quick starts and stops do make a difference in fuel economy, sometimes a pretty big one. Give it a try. While you’re at it, smooth out your pedal pressure at highway speeds as well by using your cruise control whenever appropriate.
3. Feeling the need for speed? Let it go. It’s easy to creep past posted speed limits without thinking about it, especially on urban highways where traffic often tends to move well beyond 65 mph. Some freeways in Southern California regularly flow at 80 mph and sometimes more. The problem is that fuel efficiency diminishes rapidly above 60 mph. In fact, the EPA says that each 5 mph driven above that speed has the net effect of costing you about 20 cents more per gallon of gas.4. If you’re filling up on mid-grade or premium fuel, check to see if you really need to do this. Some high-compression engines do require higher octane fuel to run properly, and in fact serious engine damage could result from using a lower grade fuel than is specified in your owner’s manual. But if you don’t need premium fuel you shouldn’t be filling up with it. Premium fuel costs about 20 to 40 cents more per gallon but doesn’t provide better performance in engines designed to run on regular … so you’re essentially pumping cash out your tailpipe. Not a pleasant thought, is it?
5. Check your tire pressure weekly and keep your tires aired up to the recommended psi. This is so simple you’d assume everyone does this regularly. Not so. And that’s too bad since tires with low pressure create greater rolling resistance that can cost you up to 3 percent in fuel efficiency. Tires heat up while you drive and checking them while hot will give an artificially high reading. Make a habit of checking tire pressure before driving when your tires are cold. You might also consider buying low rolling resistance tires the next time your car is ready for new treads.
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