Tips to Save Gas

Fuel prices keep climbing incessantly, breaking more and more records with every rise. Even financially comfortable Americans are now having trouble finding the cash just to pay for their daily commute. So how do you avoid or at least minimize the pinch at the pump? Surprisingly, very simple strategies, when done consistently, can have a big impact on the fuel economy you’re able to get. Some disciples of the “hypermilling” philosophy claim that their extreme strategies can increase the EPA’s estimated mpg for a car by up to half. If you don’t want to stick a tin foil spoiler on your car or cover the front in duct tape, though, you can still save gas without hypermiling.

Small Adjustments Make a Big Difference

You don’t have to run out and buy a Prius to get good gas mileage. Here are some plain-and-simple strategies you can utilize to maximize your fuel economy:

• Try the liquid test. One way to tell if you’re driving to maximize gas mileage is to put a very full open cup of some liquid (preferably water, in the interest of your car) in your cup holder. When you accelerate and come to a stop, the liquid should not spill at all. Jack-rabbit starts and stops will bring even a compact car’s gas mileage into the single digits.
• Combine trips and errands. Getting all of your running around done at once will save you from having to drive out of your way to do errands. For example, while you’re picking up the kids from school, do your grocery shopping at the store closest to the school.
• Adequately inflate or overinflate. Tire pressure is critical to achieving good fuel economy. Invest in a $5 tire pressure gauge to make sure your tires are always at least inflated to the level recommended by the manufacturer. Some fuel-economy enthusiasts even over-inflate to the maximum level recommended by the manufacturer in order to save even more gas. Remember that overinflated tires can cause quite a bumpy ride, though.
• Keep your car in shape. You should replace your air filters regularly and get your fuel filter replaced as often as the manufacturer or your mechanic recommends. Also use the proper grade of oil when you get your oil changed. Again, use the grade your manufacturer recommends for your engine. Using the wrong grade of oil can lower your mpg by up to 2%.
• Get a real-time mpg gauge. If your car doesn’t already have one, think about buying an in-dash mpg gauge that will tell you what kind of gas mileage you’re getting at any moment in time. This can make you more aware of how your driving directly impacts your fuel economy.