7 Things You Can do to save on Gas ...

Most of you may be rolling your eyes at this suggestion, but it’s true. A smaller car with more efficient gas mileage will help you to save hundreds of dollars in the long run. Older cars are another gas-eating culprit, so even if you drive a small, older car, consider updating. Newer models are designed to be much more fuel efficient that cars from say, 10-15 years ago.

Lots of gas stations offer coupon booklets or cards that get you 5 cents off per gallon if you pay with cash, or even stamp booklets that get you a free gallon of gas for every 10 gallons you buy. You can ask the attendant if they have any offers running. Another place to keep an eye out is groupon.com or actual gas station websites where you can often buy a $50 gas card for $45 or something similar.

One of the ways to save on gas that may not occur to everyone is to cut back on the crap you lug around. For every extra 50 pounds you have in your car, your gas mileage will drop about 7-10%. Go through your vehicle and clean out anything that is unnecessary. A gym bag, lawn chair, extra jacket, flashlight and a emergency kit might be necessary, but do you really need a box of magazines from your moms basement and those golf clubs you keep planning to use? Store things you don’t want to throw away somewhere besides your car.

It’s a well-known fact that cranking the AC isn’t a good way to save on gas, but it can be hard not to especially if you feel warm! Try running just the fan, or buy a couple of battery operated fans to keep on the dash. You can always crack your windows or sunroof!

Many people don’t like to cut off their vehicle if they just stop for a minute. But beware! That 3-minute chat in the grocery parking lot or 5 minutes while you grab your mail can really hinder you from saving on gas! For every minute that your engine idles, you lose an estimated ¾ gallon of gas! So cut your engine off if it’s idling for longer than a minute, not including red lights and stop signs of course.

I hate to point this out, because so many of us, including myself, are guilty of road rage at one point or another! But it remains true that one of the best ways to save on gas is to drive a few miles below the speed limit! Avoid accelerating too fast when getting on the freeway or passing someone. Sometimes it’s worth refraining from cutting people off if you can save a gallon or two of gas. *wink wink*

Who would have thought that a major way to save on gas is by getting your car tuned up on a regular basis? Having your oil changed and your filters checked and cleaned, as well as tire maintenance ensures that your car is running just as it should be. If something is wrong, or slightly off-target, your car may have to pull a little harder to compensate, thus using more of your precious gas.

There you have it, my top 7 ways to save on gas. According to popularmechanics.com, for every penny that gas goes up, Americans spend 1.25 billion dollars per year on gas alone! With figures like that, it’s no wonder you want to know ways to save on gas! The most obvious way to save on gas that I haven’t mentioned yet? Walk or bike as often as you can, especially if you are close to your destination. Nothing saves on gas like not using your car!

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