Top 15 Tips to Save on Gas or Increase Gas Mileage

Car Save Gas Tips

Don't we all want to save gas money? We have 15 easy tips on how you can save gasoline.

For most of us, owning a car is a necessity of life. But as gasoline prices rise, most of us would like to find tips to save gas. If you are buying a new or used car, an easy way to save on gas is to choose a four-cylinder engine rather than a V6 or a V8. Obviously, smaller cars are more efficient with fuel than larger vehicles. But if you follow a few common sense practices, you can drive farther for less, increase gas mileage and save money on gas. To help in this effort to save money, keep track of everything you spend on driving such as fuel, vehicle maintenance, parking and tolls. If you know where your money goes you may be able to find other ways to save. Here are some additional ways to save on your fuel costs .

1) Drive the Speed Limit

Not only is it against the law and unsafe, speeding uses a lot more gas. Although each make of vehicle reaches optimal fuel economy at different speeds, the faster you drive, the more gas you use. The miles per gallon rapidly decreases when you drive at or above 60 mph. A good rule of thumb is that for each 5 mph that you drive over 60 mph, it is like paying an additional 10 cents per gallon for gas. So, will driving 55 mph save money on gas? You bet. And lots of it.

2) Remove Excess Weight  (Oh, now we're getting personal.)

Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle, especially weighty ones. An extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by 1% to 2%. Smaller cars are affected more when they carry extra weight because the reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight. So, if you've been putting off cleaning out your trunk or emptying your roof carrier, there is no time like the present. Sure, maybe your garage will be more cluttered, but your gas mileage will increase.

3) Increase aerodynamics

When traveling a t highway speeds, over 50% of your engine’s power goes toward overcoming aerodynamic drag. Of course, there is nothing you can do to change the aerodynamics of your car's body. But there are things you can do to lessen the drag.

Do You Need That Roof Rack Up There?

Think about that roof rack. Are the cross bars removable? If so, take them off when you aren't using them. Do you need to keep that empty ski rack up there? Probably not. You can increase your gas mileage by one or two miles per gallon by doing these simple things.

Open Windows vs Air Conditioning

Open windows create a lot of drag at high speeds. T his affects the outside airflow and decreases your mileage. So close those windows and use the air conditioning. Yes, the air conditioning uses more gas, but with the decrease in drag and airflow obstruction, you're probably just about breaking even. And you'll have a quieter, more comfortable ride with a lot less stress.

4) Don’t Hang Around

Idling gets 0 MPG. In general, when idling, cars with bigger engines typically waste more gas than cars with smaller engines. Don't let the engine run at idle for any longer than necessary. Cars these days do not need to be warmed up before you drive them. The engine actually warms up faster while driving. How long should you let your car idle? With most car engines, it's more economical to turn off the engine rather than idle more than 30 seconds.

And when I get real bored, I like to drive to the mall, find a great parking spot, then sit in my car and count how many people ask me if I'm leaving.

5) Steady As You Go

You want to know how to save gas? Take it easy. Aggressive driving can reduce fuel economy by up to 20 percent. As you drive, watch the approaching terrain and other cars while safely adjusting your car's speed so you flow with traffic and don't have to stop and then accelerate repeatedly. Punching down hard on the gas pedal pushes more fuel into the engine while it also keeps the engine running faster. When you drive smoothly and steadily you make t he best use of your fuel. Try to accelerate gently and brake gradually . If you need to start out again from a standstill, bring the car up to speed quickly and easily, not abruptly. Once up to speed, continue driving at a steady pace. You waste a lot of fuel if you continuously vary speeds. Pretend you have an egg between your foot and the gas pedal. Your goal is to avoid having to clean up the mess you'd have if it broke.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the most fuel-efficient speeds are between about 25 and 60 mph. Smooth acceleration and braking not only saves gas, but allows the engine to operate at its best, extending its life and that of the transmission and brakes. Think of how much money THAT will save you.

If you know you need to stop down the road, you can also save a lot of gas by simply lifting your foot off the accelerator and coasting long before you need to stop. What's the hurry? You'll only have to sit there at the light anyway.

6) Use Cruise Control

Using cruise control on the highway is an amazingly effective way to save gas. It also prevents "creeping speed" which is the tendency for drivers to gradually increase speed the longer they are on the road. It can also save you from an expensive speeding ticket. (Another way to save money.)

But don’t cruise out of control – never use in it when it’s raining or on snowy or wet roads. If you do and you hydroplane, your car will accelerate to a high rate of speed when your tires are off the road.

You have no control when you hydroplane. Stepping on the brake to disengage the cruise control often results in losing control of the vehicle. We want to improve gas mileage, but not get killed in the process.

7) Regular vs Premium Gas

Sorry to tell you this, but in spite of its name, buying premium gas won't help you get better gas mileage or performance. Some high-performance cars require premium gas given that their engines are specifically designed for higher compression - higher compression means more power. Putting regular gas in these cars can cause knocking . If your car needs high-octane gas, it will be stated in the owner’s manual. The bottom line is that most cars do not need premium. You only need to buy premium if your owner’s manual says your car needs it - and only 10% of cars have this requirement. So, if your car’s manual specifies regular fuel, don't buy premium in the misguided belief that your engine will run better. You’ll just be wasting money.

To prove it to yourself, go ahead and fill up with premium a few times and check the mileage and engine performance. If you find that you get better mileage or performance keep using premium. But we’ll bet that you are simply wasting money. Remember that even if your gas mileage improves a little, premium gas cost a lot more. So you'll end up spending a lot to save a little.

A Note on Off-Brand Gasoline

There is nothing wrong with buying off-brand gasoline. Buying off-brand gas is no different than buying gas from a major gas station. They all get their gas from the same refineries. So, s hop around for the cheapest gas .

A Note on Fuel and Fuel Additives

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alleged claims of savings ranging from 12 to 25 percent by using a fuel additive are pure hype. The EPA has evaluated or tested more than 100 supposed gas-saving product s and did not find any product that significantly increases gas mileage. In fact, some "gas-saving" additives can even damage your car's engine or cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions. So watch what you put in your tank.

8) Avoid Topping Off

Prevent gas spillover (i.e., wasted gas) by stopping the pump as soon as you feel the first “click” on the fuel nozzle. The gas tank needs room for the gas to expand, particularly on hot summer days when gas warms up and expands. If you continue fueling after the pump shuts off, you also increase the chance of releasing harmful gasoline vapors into the air.

9) Buy Gasoline at the Coolest Time of Day:

Early in the morning and in the late evening are the best times to buy gas. This will mean less evaporation of gasoline as you pump. During these times gasoline is also most dense. Gas pumps measure volume of gasoline, not the density of fuel concentration.

10) Keep It Tuned Up

Keep your engine tuned up. The condition of your car can greatly affect fuel economy. Running a poorly maintained car can cut gas mileage by as much as 10 to 20 percent. Although today’s modern engines are electronically controlled, that doesn’t mean you don’t need regular maintenance as they can still suffer component failures. Not only that, regular maintenance needs to be done to maintain the vehicle's warranty.

• Engine Oil - Engine oil has limited life. At some point it starts losing lubricating qualities and carbonizes. When that happens the engine gets contaminated with carbon deposits or sludge that will significantly impact and shorten your engine's life.

• Spark Plugs – Modern spark plugs last a lot longer than their predecessors. However, they don’t last forever. Have your spark plugs checked regularly to ensure the electrodes are gapped properly and tightened sufficiently.

• Fuel Injector - Make sure it is clean and operating correctly .

• Fuel filter – A dirty fuel filter may cause engine stalling and loss of power.
  
• Exhaust System – Regularly check the exhaust system to ensure it is clean and working. If your engine is running loudly, have the exhaust system checked.
  
• Timing Belt - Make certain that your vehicle's timing is correct and in good repair. Failure can cause serious engine damage.

• Air Filter – The EPA has tightened emission laws but, as everyone knows, our air is still full of dirt and dust. If you don’t keep a clean air filter, eventually it becomes blocked and your engine will starve for air. A clogged air filter alone can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.

Be sure to follow the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, and act promptly if you sense something is wrong, like unusual sounds, smells, or vibration. The manual will list the minimum requirements for keeping your warranty in effect. When you are aware of the services that are required, your odds of being ripped off are greatly reduced. But remember, the manual states only the "minimum" requirements. Depending on your driving habits you may need to go beyond those minimum requirements. Most owners' manuals offer separate maintenance schedules for "normal" and for "severe" driving situations .

Periodically calculate your car's fuel efficiency. A loss in fuel efficiency is an indication of possible mechanical problems.

11) Take Care of Your Tires

This is more for safety than fuel efficiency. Don’t expect a big savings. However, proper maintenance can add thousands of miles to the life of your tires.

• Tire Pressure - Keep your tires properly inflated. Using a tire pressure gauge, check the pressure monthly and before you make a long trip. Do it when the tires are cold for a more accurate reading. Under inflated tires require more energy to roll, which simply wastes fuel and also wears out the tires faster. It can also build up excess heat which may lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also has a noticeable affect on how quickly and precisely the tires respond to your input. The recommended tire pressure can be found on a label inside the car’s doorjamb or on the glove box lid.

• Balancing - Get the tires balanced at least once a year otherwise it can destroy the tread. Also, improperly balanced tires can wear out your shock absorbers and damage the suspension system, only leading to more expense repairs.

• Tread - Check the tread. The easiest way to do this is with a penny. Place a penny into the tread putting Lincoln's head down between the treads. If the top of his head remains visible, the tire needs replacing.

• Alignment - Also check your car's alignment. Misalignment can cause engine drag which will decrease your gas mileage. Improper tire pressure and/or misalignment leads to irregular tire wear which creates and increases imbalance, resulting in wheel vibration. Proper alignment will reduce or stop the vibration.

12) Consolidate Your Trips

To help cut down on the miles that you drive, consolidate your trips. Your engine runs most efficiently when it's warmed up. Try to a void lots of short, separate trips, thus eliminating so many unnecessary cold starts.

When the engine is cool, it not only uses more fuel but also creates more contaminated emissions and experiences the most wear.  One reason for the additional pollutants is that catalytic converters (which reduce air pollution emissions) do not operate properly until they have warmed up. Trips of less than four miles generally do not allow the engine to reach its peak operating temperature.

Plan to do a number of errands in one trip rather than hopping in your car whenever you need something. You will save both time and fuel. Why not try walking or cycling? Save gas and get some healthy exercise.

13) Use Mass Transit or Car Pool Whenever Possible

We're talking about saving gas here, and what better way to save than to not use any? Obviously, using mass transit is most relevant for those who live in or near a major urban area, but is good advice for anyone. Many of us can car pool. Of course, taking a bus or train whenever possible are also wonderful ways to reduce car expenses in addition to saving gas . If you can find a different way to commute to work rather than by your car, you may also be eligible for a discount on your car insurance. And, you're helping reduce the amount of emissions put into the air each and every day.

14) To Four-Wheel-Drive or not to Four-Wheel-Drive

Four wheel drive is great when it's needed and don't hesitate to use it. But if you forget to shift out of four wheel drive, for example when the road becomes dry, you're throwing money down the drain. (Then you'll have to call a plumber and think of how much that will cost.)

15) Shift Up

If you have a manual transmission, drive in the right gear. If you don't shift to a higher gear when you should, you're wasting gas. You will not extend the life of your car by driving in a lower gear. If the engine is whining, shift up.

Find cheap gas near you.