Recent world events have led to spikes in gas prices that have many of us reeling. If you drive every day for work, poor gas mileage may actually be cutting into your bottom line. To get the best bang for your fuel buck, consider the tips below.
Consolidate Your Trips
Don’t settle for running errands on Saturday. If at all possible, consolidate your trips. Arrange your driving route so you can
- pick up groceries
- collect the dry cleaning
- shop as needed
Not only will this method of driving reduce your gas expenses, but you may be able to enjoy Saturday with your loved ones instead of dealing with the crowds!
To that end, use online shopping tools to further simplify your life and even streamline your budget. If you already create a shopping list before you go to the grocery store, create it online, pay for your groceries, and get them brought to your car. This will simplify your life and reduce impulse buying.
Check Your Tires
Poor tire inflation can do real damage to your MPG. It can also put you at risk of a blowout. Invest in a tire gauge and check your tires when they’re cold. A simple habit to get into is checking your tires on Friday before you go to work.
Most gas stations will have a compressed air pump that you can use to fill up. Sadly, many drivers are not careful with this tool and will leave the hose on the ground, only to be run over by another driver. You may find that your nearest gas station has air, but that the hose connections are not good. This may be a good time to invest in a portable air pump that you can use to air up your tires on your schedule. Many of these can be found with a rechargeable battery as the power source, which can be a great benefit.
Monitor Your Stops and Starts
Fast starts and hard braking will burn more gas over time. They’ll also increase wear on your tires, brakes, and even your transmission. Avoid this by allowing a bit more time. If you drive on the freeway on a regular basis, try to get in the left lane and use cruise control.
If most of your driving is in town and you find yourself going from red light to red light, let the car coast. Take your foot off the gas and let inertia get you to the next light. If you can get in the habit of not needing the brake as much as you have previously, you will probably notice a drop in your gas consumption.
Upgrade Your Engine
A worn engine will burn a lot of gas and be hard on the environment. If you have a large vehicle for work or for personal hauling needs, look for ISC Engines for Sale to increase efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint.
Like dishwashers and dryers, utilizing your vehicles to the best extent may mean waiting until they’re really necessary. Just as you can’t haul something large or terribly heavy in a passenger vehicle, it’s not a great idea to make short trips for small items in a large vehicle. If you need to tow a trailer or haul a large piece of work equipment, by all means, use the big truck or van. However, if you are a business owner who’s concerned about the fuel consumption, a small vehicle for parts runs or similar errands can be a great investment.
Get Through the Gears Quickly
If you drive a standard transmission, do your best to get through the gears quickly. The higher the RPMs, the more gas you will burn. To that end, do make sure that you are not lugging the engine; pushing your vehicle for power at too low a rate of RPMs can cause your engine to overheat.
Carefully check on what you’re hauling if you don’t absolutely need it in the vehicle. You need your jack and a spare, but that box of books or bag of clothes for donation should not stay in your trunk or hatchback. Too much weight will put pressure on your suspension as well as waste fuel.
