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2. Energy Technology and Fuel Economy
Only 15 percent of the fuel that you put
into your car gets used and the rest of the energy is lost for many
reasons. It is important to maintain your car and have an understanding
of how your vehicle operates.
If this information is foreign to you,
you may consider taking a basic mechanics course to gain some
knowledge.
The more that you understand about the
way that your vehicle runs, and what it takes to properly maintain it,
the more success you will have when it comes to understanding what
steps to take to start saving money.
If only 15 percent of the fuel that you
pay for gets used that means that you need to be absolutely certain
that the condition in which your car is running is as efficient as it
can be.
In addition to a mechanics course you may
be able to find fuel saving tips that are available through a small
mini-course at your local college.
3. Shop around
You can try to shop around in your local
area for the cheapest gas that you can find but you shouldn’t go too
far out of your way to try and get that best price unless you’re
already traveling in that direction anyway.
Once you start driving around looking for
the gas pump that can beat the one in your neighborhood you start to
increase the amount of money that you spend on your driving expenses.
Since your goal is to save money you
would be defeating the purpose by driving around for too long. Studies
done by the AAA indicate that it will cost you approximately 51.7 cents
per mile to drive your car this year.
Keep in mind that the IRS will only allow
a deduction of 36 cents per mile so driving too far to get the cheapest
gas isn’t always cost efficient.
While you are driving to a location that
you would normally be going anyway you can of course keep your eyes
open for the cheapest gas.
4. Multitask your
shopping expeditions
If you know of a certain gas station that
consistently sells lower priced gas and it’s out of your way you might
want to consider making a weekly or bi-weekly journey to this
destination.
This way you can take a day to get gas,
buy your groceries, and take a walk in the park within a different area
of the city where you live. In effect, what you are doing is
multitasking and saving money on your fuel costs at the same time.
5. Paying for your
gas the smart way
One of the ways that you can save money
at the gas pump is by using a gasoline credit card. When you have a gas
card you’ll be able to get 5 or 10 percent rebate back on the purchase
of your gas.
here's a free guide http://www.bestcreditcardsguide.com/bestgascreditcards.htm
This can amount to as much as $75 to $300
each year. If you have multiple drivers in your family you’ll want to
make sure that every car driving person carries a gasoline credit card
with them so that you can take advantage of multiple gas sales.
Many gasoline companies are joining up
with other retailers to give you numerous savings at the gas pump.
You’ll be able to not only save on your
gas purchase, but you’ll be able to earn points towards your next
purchase with participating retailers.
Savings Tip: If you have a Walmart near
you; try Murphy Gas Station which is usually in the same parking lot as
Walmarts. Not only is the price less expensive than most stations as
Exxon or Mobil (TMs) but if you use a Walmart Credit Card, you will get
an automatic 3 cents a gallon on top of normal savings. Walmart Credit
Cards are relatively easy to get at your local walmart or online at www.walmartcreditcard.com
Look for redit Cards with Cash Back and
just pay your gas purchases off each month. You certainly don't want to
pay interest on GAS !
The Best Cards require better credit so
if you have had a poor credit History , clean it up first. Visit Free
Restoration Services http://www.mostwantedinfo.net/creditrepair.html
Credit Cards Advertisers below include
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 Apply!
This offer below requires you to respond
to free trial offers. It's certainly worth a review. Responding to
trial offers usually mean you pay small shipping charges and possibly
try out a service for a month. It really pays to try this but you need
to remember to cancel your free trials usually within 14 to 30 Days.
You might even keep some of the services.
6. Buy your gas in the morning or
evening
Gasoline becomes denser in colder
temperatures. Gas pumps are set to measure the volume of the fuel that
you pump and not the density.
This means that if you fill up your gas
tank in the cooler morning temperatures, or in the colder evening
hours, that you’ll be getting better gas price economy. Try to fill up
your gas tank later in the evening to avoid the rush of day hours.
7. Use the Internet
Using the Internet to find the lowest gas
prices is a great way to have all the information that you need before
getting into your car to fuel up.
There are several sites on the Internet
that will help you find the cheapest gas in your area.
One of these sites is GasBuddy. GasBuddy
has all the information for both the United States and Canada to help
you find the lowest gas price on the day that you are filling up your
gas tank.
GasBuddy has over 170 websites that it
uses to get you the recent best prices.
The price of gas is always changing so
having the latest information is going to save you money over a period
of time.
There are times that the price of gas
will vary by up to 20 percent within a short radius so it’s important
to you to stay current with the lowest price of gas.
The information provided by GasBuddy is
quite comprehensive. For example, after indicating that you live in the
Washington state area you are directed to sites for Seattle, Tacoma,
and Spokane.
Choosing Seattle gives you the following
information: (1) lowest price in the last 48 hours, (2) gas station
name and address, and (3) time the last price was posted.
When you use GasBuddy you’ll be able to
save that
much more each time you
buy gas for your vehicle.
www.GasBuddy.com/
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8. Multi-purchases
There are many other ways that you can
use the Internet to help you save money at the gas pumps. Check out
coupons in your local area that offer money off certain items, like
convenience food.
If you purchase your gas at a service
pump that has a convenience store attached then you can use your
money-saving coupons for convenience purchases.
Although you are not saving money on your
actual gas purchase, just by combining your convenience purchase with
you fuel purchase you will find some money saving benefit at shopping
and fueling up at a certain gas station.
9.
Keep a fuel log
Invest in a small notebook and pen for
your car and write down all your gas purchases and mileage that you
travel.
Start to develop the habit of knowing
exactly how much that you are spending in fuel costs.
You can also use your fuel log to keep
track of the best places to buy your gasoline. You want to see a
pattern develop so that you can track your gas spending habits and then
make changes if needed.
If you are buying a used vehicle
privately, or from a dealer, find out if there is an owner’s manual so
that you can find out how to take care of your vehicle.
If you’re lucky, there may be fuel log of
some kind from the previous car owner.
10.
Fuel economy and Co2 emissions
The average fuel economy of new cars and
trucks in the United States and Canada has increased by over 130
percent for cars and 75 percent for trucks.
This means a great savings to you at the
gas pump since you are driving a much more efficient vehicle that you
were several years ago.
This doesn’t mean that you can ignore the
cost saving tips in this e-book.
What it does mean is that you can
achieve even greater savings!
11. Keep an eye on your gas consumption
The more aware you are of the amount of
fuel that you use the more you can do to try to reduce your gas costs.
If you notice that your gas efficiency is
decreasing it could be an indicating factor that your car needs
servicing.
Make weekly comparisons with your fuel
log that you keep in you car to see how much your gas consumption is
going up and your mileage per gallon is going down.
If you are finding that you are
constantly seeing less and less performance from your car and spending
more for gas at the fuel pump then you’ll know that you need to take
action so that you can start seeing a savings in your gas economy
rather than a constant deficit.
12. Buy gas from a
busy station
Try to buy your gas from a gas station
that is consistently busy and therefore has its underground tanks
filled on a regular basis.
Gas stations that are slow will have gas
that has been sitting in underground tanks for longer periods of time,
leading to gas contamination.
This contamination can mean that the gas
you are purchasing is less powerful than fresh gas and will decrease
your fuel economy.
Try to time your visits to busier gas
stations at those busy times but make sure that you’re not in a rush to
get anywhere.
If you’re late for an appointment you may
find yourself giving up in frustration if you have to wait to purchase
your gas and then find yourself moving over to a gas station that has a
higher gas cost for the day.
13. Turn the nozzle
When you have finished filling up your
gas tank try turning the nozzle of the hose a full 180 degrees.
This will drain a bit more gas into your
tank; in some cases up to an entire half cup that would otherwise be a
bonus to the next gas customer.
Once you get into the habit of turning
the hose you’ll find yourself doing it without thinking. That extra
half cup that you get each time that you fill your gas tank can add up
to a lot of extra gas at the end of the year that you never have known
about.
14. High octane gas
For most cars these days, buying higher
octane gas is a waste of your money. Regular unleaded has approximately
87 octane already and is fine for your vehicle.
By avoiding buying high octane gas you’ll
be saving a large amount of money over a period of time.
High octane gas is always more expensive
at the gas pumps so the next time that you feel guilty for filling up
your SUV with regular gas you can be assured that no harm will come to
your vehicle.
Octane is simply a measurement of how
difficult it is to ignite the gas in your car and has nothing to do
with the quality of the gas. If you are experiencing engine pings,
rattles, or knocks you can switch to high octane gas.
However, you shouldn’t be experiencing
any of those knocks and rattles if you are keeping your vehicle
maintained and making sure that you don’t miss those scheduled
maintenance checkups.
If you are driving a new model car you
definitely shouldn’t be hearing any pings or rattles and if you are you
should take your vehicle to a mechanic.
15. Avoid topping off
Try to avoid "topping off" at the gas
pumps. When you purchase just a bit of gas at the gas station the pump
doesn’t have enough time to really activate, resulting in short bursts
of fuel that may short change you from the amount of gas that you are
purchasing.
The best time to replenish your gas tank
is when you have half a tank or less left in your vehicle, or when you
find a gas price that you just can’t afford to miss.
16. Avoid running
your gas tank too close to empty
Try not to drive your car when the gas
gauge is on empty.
You may think that you using very little
gas when your car is on empty, but you are in fact using more gas
because your vehicle is running less efficiently as it tries to
accelerate and decelerate in a normal fashion.
Keep your gas level above the quarter
tank mark if at all possible.
17. Avoid buying
gasohol
You should never purchase gasohol for
your car since it contains only two-thirds of the energy of gasoline.
This means that you would need to buy
much more gasohol to go the same distance on a tank of gasoline.
Gasohol is a mixture of ethanol (alcohol
made from grain) and gas, and is used by some farmers to help cut the
amount of pollution in the air.
Even if you are traveling and it seems
like the only fuel choice for miles is gasohol try to avoid buying this
type of adapted fuel.
18. Avoid buying gas
from a just replenished gas station
When a gas station has its underground
tanks filled, the particles at the bottom of the tank are stirred up.
These particles can become mixed in with
the gas that you are putting into your car, which can lead to
efficiency problems. The particles can clog your fuel filter, causing
your car to stall and start with some difficulty.
If the gas station that you have decided
to stop at has the lowest gas price in your area you may want to think
about taking the time to come back at a later time rather than stopping
at the next gas station that is offering a higher price for gas.
19. Keep your car
well tuned
One of the best things that you can do is
to keep your vehicle as well tuned as you possibly can.
This means taking note of those regularly
scheduled maintenance checkups that you so often ignore.
Studies indicate that a car with an
engine that is poorly tuned will increase the amount of fuel
consumption from 10 to 20 percent.
Information found at www.fueleconomy.gov/
shows that when you tune up a car that is due for a checkup or one that
has emissions problems, you can increase the gas mileage by up to 4.1
percent.
Pay attention to the signals that your
car is giving you. When the red message light on your dashboard lights
up letting you know that it’s time to "check your gauges" make sure
that you have your car looked at as soon as you can.
If you are uncertain when the last time
was that you had your car serviced you may be able to contact the
mechanic that last did the work for you.
If they keep accurate records your
mechanic will be able to give you a date for your last maintenance
visit and help you schedule a new one at the same time.
20. Change the oil
in your car
Change the oil in your car on a regular
basis. When you keep the oil in your car clean you reduce the wear that
is caused by friction in the moving parts of your car’s engine.
Keeping track of your last oil change
will save you money at the gas pump and increase your fuel consumption.
If you are reluctant or unable to change
the oil in your car on your own make sure that you fuel up at a gas
station that offers you full service.
This way you can ask the gas attendant to
help you fill your car with gas as well as take a look under the hood
of your car to change the oil.
21. The right grade
of oil
Make sure that you are using the right
grade of oil that is required by your car or truck. Oil grades are
measured in viscosity, which determines how much the oil can resist
flow. Grades of oil include:
· 0W (this
is the thinnest) ("W" stands for winter)
· 5W to 25W
· 20 to 60
(60 is the thickest)
Check with the owner’s manual that comes
with your car for more information about the grade of oil that is
required by your car.
Make sure that you use the right grade of
oil to ensure that your car runs as smoothly as it should in all types
of weather.
If you find that you are always running
out of oil when you need it you can buy car oil in bulk at stores such
as Costco so that you always have oil available for your vehicle.
If you can’t change the oil in the car
yourself ask a family or friend to give you a hand.
22. Replace the air filter in your car
Studies at FuelEconomy.com suggest
replacing the air filter in your car on a regular basis. Replacing a
clogged air filter can improve the mileage that you get with your car
by up to 10 percent.
When you calculate that 10 percent into
gasoline savings, you’ll be saving up to 15 cents per gallon. You can
ask your mechanic to replace the air filter in your car or you can do
it yourself.
23. Replace the fuel
filter in your car
Studies show that not only should you be
replacing the air filter in your car on a regular basis, you should
also be maintaining and regularly replacing the fuel filter.
The cleaner that your fuel filter is the
more efficiently your vehicle is going to run, saving you more money in
fuel costs.
You can replace the fuel filter yourself
or have it replaced when your car is in for a regular maintenance
checkup.
24. Check the
alignment of your car
You should be paying attention to the
alignment in your car. Improper alignment will cause a certain amount
of engine drag, which will increase the amount of gas that you are
using.
The better maintained that car is the
better all around performance that you’ll get. Talk to your mechanic
about your next alignment servicing.
One of the ways that you can tell if your
car is due for alignment is if there is a pulling on the steering wheel
when you are driving.
If you are experiencing a type of pulling
action it’s important that you schedule an appointment to have an
alignment done.
25. Rotate your tires
When you regularly rotate your tires and
check them for uneven use and wear you will find that you are saving in
both tires and gas costs.
After you have an alignment done on your
car most mechanics will also rotate the tires. This doesn’t by any
means mean that you should wait until you need an alignment to get
those tires rotated.
Check your tires regularly to see how
they are doing on wear and tear.
If your tires are showing signs of
balding you’ll want to replace them immediately since the better your
tires are the better fuel consumption you’ll see.
26. Tire maintenance
Not only should you be maintaining the
engine of your car, you should also be paying attention to the tires
that you are driving on.
· Purchase
a tire gauge and check your car’s tire pressure every month. When you
are driving around on tires that are under-inflated you can reduce the
fuel efficiency of your car by up to 2 percent for each pound that the
tires are under-inflated.
· Under-inflated
tires wear out faster, which again contributes to higher gas
consumption.
· Not only
will you save on gas consumption when you maintain your tires, studies
show that you will also save money on the maintenance of your vehicle
by up to $250 each year.
· The best
time to check your tire pressure is when it’s cool outside or in the
morning after your car has been sitting for several hours without
driving.
· Use
appropriate tires for each season. When you put away your winter tires
in the warm weather you’ll be able to use them for at least two years.
 
27. Keep a clean outer car
You can reduce the amount of drag on your
car when you keep the exterior clean and waxed. This will add some gas
savings into your pocket.
It may seem like a small thing to do, and
you most likely won’t notice any difference at all in your fuel
consumption, but keep in mind that every little bit helps when it comes
to reducing your gas costs and saving at the gas pumps when you fill
your car.
Many times when you purchase your gas at
a gas station that has a car wash you can receive money off coupons to
use when you wash your car.
This is a great way to save money while
keeping your car clean.
28. Service your
vehicle before the winter
As the colder weather approaches you will
want to make sure that your vehicle is in the best condition that it
can be to deal with the colder weather.
If you car needs servicing and you decide
to wait until the spring weather you will find that your fuel
consumption goes up dramatically.
Keep in mind that you may be putting snow
tires on your car, further adding to the decrease in fuel economy that
you many experience during the months of winter.
If you are traveling greater distances
during the winter months you may have to travel over roads that are
experiencing winter conditions. Plan your trip accordingly by trying to
travel when the roads are clear and there is no forecast of snow.
29. Remove snow tires
When it isn’t winter and there is no snow
on the ground you should replace your winter tires with summer tires or
all season radials.
Big snow tires with deep treads use more
gasoline than lighter tires. Many times people leave their snow tires
on all year round so that they can avoid the hassle of taking their car
to the mechanic.
The amount of savings that you can get
out of changing your tires each season should inspire to make that
appointment with your mechanic rather than weigh your car down all
through the year, even when there is no evidence of snow.
Store your winter tires in a place where
they are free from moisture and dry heat.
The better care you take of your winter
tires the longer you can keep them, reducing the amount of money that
you spend maintaining your tires and your car.
The same applies when you put your winter
tires on your car and store your summer tires or all season radials.
You will want to make sure that they are store correctly and are
tightly covered.
Many people overlook the important of
maintaining tires when it comes to saving at the gas pumps.
To maximize the most savings that you can
achieve at the gas pumps you need to pay attention to all the details
of maintaining and driving your vehicle.
30. Avoid rough roads
Driving on rough roads, such as those
made of gravel or dirt, will reduce your fuel consumption by as much as
30 percent.
If there is an alternative route that you
can take you should consider taking it if it isn’t going to add too
many miles onto your trip.
On a side note, if you are planning a
camping trip and are driving a new model car or truck you may want to
think about leaving your car at home and finding alternative travel
arrangements.
The wear and tear to a vehicle that is
being driven over rough gravel road can damage the underside of your
vehicle, causing damage that you’re not aware of for some time to come.
This damage, even if minimal, could be a
factor towards increasing your gas costs and fuel inefficiency.
31. 12 Month Average
for Regular Unleaded
Keep track of the cost of regular
unleaded fuel for your records.
32. Combine trips
Try to combine as many purposes into one
trip as you can for the following reasons:
· You’ll
save time and money by combining the number of errands and stops that
you make in one trip.
· When you
make several smaller trips, especially in cold weather, you will use up
to twice as much fuel than if you were taking a multipurpose trip.
· Cold
starts for your car use up more gas and are harder on vehicle
maintenance than driving for a longer period of time, keeping the
engine of your car warm.
· Planning
your trip makes your driving more efficient and you spend less time
driving aimlessly from location to location.
33. Commuting
There are ways that you can get to work
that will help you save on gas consumption for your car.
· When
driving to work avoid the peak times for rush hours. This way you’ll
use up less fuel and you’ll spend less of you precious time sitting
around in heavy traffic.
· Try
telecommuting from work if you’re in a position to do so.
· If you
are the owner of more than one vehicle you should try to drive the car
that has the best gas mileage more often than the one with higher gas
mileage. Save the vehicle with the lower gas mileage for those trips
when you don’t want your new vehicle damaged or don’t want to put the
miles on the odometer.
· Find out
about ride-sharing programs and carpools that are available in your
local area. By commuting to work with others you’ll be cutting your
monthly fuel costs by as much as half. You’ll also be saving on the
wear and tear of your car. Many large cities have what is known as the
HOV lane (high occupancy vehicle) to encourage drivers to commute to
work.
· Use the
public transit service if it’s convenient for you and available where
you live. You may be able to drive your vehicle to the bus depot and
commute from there. Even though you’re still driving your car part way
to work you’ll still notice a substantial savings when it comes to the
cost of your commute to and from work.
34. Walk
You will definitely save on gas if you
leave your car at home. Try walking to close destinations, or take your
bike. Today’s society seems to think that we need to drive everywhere
that go.
If more people walked, rode their bikes,
or took public transit there would be less pollution. As well, you
personally will notice a difference in the amount of money that you
spend each month on your gas costs.
35. Avoid fast
getaways at the stoplight
Accelerate slowly when the light turns
green. The faster that you accelerate the more gas that you are going
to consume.
Make sure you start at the stoplight slow
and steady so that you conserve as much fuel as possible while you are
going from a stopped position into a driving mode.
It may be tempting for younger people to
accelerate and race away from the stoplight. Don’t fall into this trap
and you can save up to 20 percent in fuel costs just by being a safe
driver.
36. Avoid an idling
vehicle
Try to avoid letting your car idle, even
on those cold mornings when you try to heat up the car before driving
to work.
Studies show that there is no need to let
your car idle for more than 30 seconds even in cold weather and that
idling will reduce your fuel consumption.
New cars are specifically designed for
you to be able to start and drive away immediately without any idle
time.
Make sure that you get up early enough to
scrape the snow and ice off your car in the winter months. There is no
need to start your car while you are cleaning off your windows.
Finish cleaning off your windows and then
start your car when you are ready to leave.
37. Remove weight
from your car
If you are not specifically hauling
around some heavy material make sure that you remove it from your car.
This means not using your car as a
storage box for unwanted items that you don’t know where to put. The
more weight that you carry in your car, other than passengers, the more
fuel that you are going to consume as you drive.
38. Turn off your car
Studies show that it’s more fuel
efficient to turn off your car than it is to let it idle for much
longer than about 45 seconds.
If you are in a long line up at the
ferry, waiting for someone outside the store, or waiting for an
accident up ahead to clear you can turn off your car engine and save
yourself some money and fuel.
Plan your trips so that you can avoid
those long idle moments that will waste your gas and add dollars onto
the price of a gallon. It only takes a second to start your car again
if you have turned it off while waiting in a traffic jam that doesn’t
seem to be moving.
39. Avoid using the
air conditioner
When you first get into your hot vehicle
try to drive with the windows open to let out the hot air and let in a
fresh breeze.
If this fails to lower the temperature in
your car you can put on the air conditioning. The air conditioner will
work more efficiently and faster if you open up the windows first.
If you need to use the air conditioning
in your car you should keep in mind that your fuel economy will be
reduced by 10 to 20 percent.
One of the ways to use your air
conditioner is to use it for minimal amounts of times. Keep the windows
closed when you are using the air conditioning.
Once the car has reached a cooler
temperature you can turn off the air conditioning but it is important
to note that you should still keep the windows closed since opening
them will only allow in the hot air once again.
40. Avoid sudden
stops and turns
When you are driving your vehicle you
should try to avoid braking suddenly or starting abruptly.
Studies indicate that when you brake
gradually, start slowly, and avoid those sudden stops that you can
increase your fuel consumption. Drive responsibly and with care to
avoid these stops and starts.
41. Drive the speed
limit
Make sure that you observe the speed
limit. Your gas mileage will decrease rapidly when you travel at speeds
over 60 mph.
For every 5 mph that you drive over the
60 mph mark you are adding an extra 10 cents onto each gallon of gas
that you purchase.
Source:
www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml
Keep in mind that
you will be using at least 20 percent more gas when you are traveling
at 70 mph than you would driving at 55 mph.
If there are other
family members in your home that drive, particularly younger drivers,
make sure that you keep them aware of the higher fuel costs that are
associated with driving too fast and too much over the recommended
speed limit that is posted.
Source: www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml
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42. Anticipate driving conditions
If at all possible try to anticipate the
driving conditions that you will be taking on your route. If you know
the traffic is heavy on a certain road try to take an alternate route.
This also applies to driving conditions
that may cause you to tailgate or practice some other inefficient
driving procedures.
The cleaner and smoother that your
driving is the more fuel costs you will save. Take the time to plan
your driving routes accordingly. You’ll find that in the long run
you’re saving yourself frustration as well as money.
43. Avoid rush hour
If at all possible you should try to
avoid driving during peak rush hours. When the traffic is crawling
along you’ll be wasting gas and creating wear and tear on your car.
If you are heading home on a Friday night
and know that your commute home is going to be one long slow crawl you
may want to consider staying close to where you work and running some
errands in the meantime.
There is no need to start your commute
home only to find that you are sitting in traffic with your car idling.
44. Accelerate
before hills
If you are approaching a hill try to
accelerate before you reach the hill. This will help you to use up less
gas while you are climbing the hill in your car.
Remember to accelerate in a safe manner
or you won’t be able to use this gas saving tip. You in no way want to
put your life, or the lives of others, in any danger.
45. Avoid fast
driving in lower gears
If you drive at fast speeds using the
wrong and often lower gears, you will reduce your fuel economy by as
much as 40 percent.
If you are driving a standard vehicle
make sure that you know how to properly operate the gears and know when
to shift.
This is one of the common mistakes that
many drivers make. By paying more attention to your driving techniques
you will find that you can reduce some of your fuel costs.
46. Keep your foot
off the brake
Try to avoid the habit of keeping your
foot on the brake, even lightly, when you are driving. When you rest
your foot on the brake you use more gas than you would otherwise and
you also will wear out your brakes much sooner.
If you find that you are keeping your
foot on the brake without being aware of it you can try sticking a
reminder note to yourself on the dashboard of your car.
Start paying attention to your driving
habits to see how important they are and to see how efficiently you
drive.
47. Buy a smarter
vehicle
Consider buying a hybrid vehicle to save
on the cost of gasoline. You may find yourself on a waiting list
waiting for the first available hybrid but the wait will be well worth
it.
The Toyota Prius is one of the most
sought vehicles of the year. In the coming years the hybrid will become
more available and will be more affordable than it is at this point.
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48. Travel Tips
One thing to keep in mind when you are
traveling with a carrier or a roof rack is that you will be increasing
your fuel cost by as much as 5 percent.
Try to reduce the amount of aerodynamic
drag and improve your fuel consumption by placing as much as you can in
the trunk of your car.
Source:
www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/planning.shtml
Another thing to keep in mind is that
when you are carrying heavy objects in your vehicle you reduce your
fuel economy by as much as 1 to 2 percent.
If you are going to be doing some heavy
hauling you might find it to your benefit to hire a truck or borrow one
from a friend so that you can reduces the wear and tear on your car as
well as keep down your fuel costs.
49. Tighten the gas
cap
It may seem like a small thing to do, but
tightening the gas cap on your car will prevent gas from evaporating
and escaping into the air.
If you have a gas cap that doesn’t fit
tightly, or you’ve lost your gas cap, buy a new one to replace it.
Contact your mechanic or the car dealer
of your make of vehicle to see if they have your particular gas cap in
stock or if they can place an order for one to be shipped to you.
50. Cruise control
When you are driving on the highway you
should be using cruise control whenever possible to maintain a steady
pace.
This will help to increase your fuel
consumption.
If you are driving a vehicle that
currently has no cruise control it’s easy to have installed by your
mechanic.
Many newer vehicles come with cruise
control as a feature and not as a luxury choice for just this reason:
to save on fuel costs.
51. Use overdrive
gears on the highway
When you are traveling on the highway try
to use your overdrive gears. By using your overdrive gears you can
improve the fuel consumption in your car during highway type driving.
The concept behind overdrive gears is
that they decrease your engine speed, saving you on engine wear and gas
consumption.
If you are uncertain about how to use
your overdrive gears, ask a friend or put in a call to your mechanic
for some advice.
52. Use gas saving
products
Although the studies are still
inconclusive you might want to consider using gas saving products to
save you money at the gas pump. The following products have been tested
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
Air Bleed Devices. These types of
devices are designed to bleed air into the carburetor and are generally
installed in your vehicle in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation line.
· Fuel Max
· Aquablast
Wyman Valve Air Bleed
· Gas
Saving Device
· Grancor
Air Computer
Vapor Bleed Devices. These
devices are related to the air bleed device but in this case induced
air is forced through a container that contains a mixture of water and
antifreeze. This device is usually installed in the engine compartment.
· Econo-Mist
Vacuum Vapor Injection System
· Mark II
Vapor Injection System
· Turbo
Vapor Injection System
· Atomized
Vapor Injector
Liquid Injection. These types of
fuel saving products add liquid to the air and fuel intake system of
your car instead of into the combustion chamber of your engine.
· Goodman
Engine System-Model 1800
· Waag-Injection
System
Ignition Devices. These devices
are usually attached to the ignition system of your car. (Can be used
as a parts replacement).
· BIAP
Electronic Ignition Unit
· Special
Formula Ignition Advance Springs
· Magna
Flash Ignition Control System
· Baur
Condenser
Fuel Line Devices. These devices are used as a cooler or a
heater. The fuel is heated just before it is injected into the
carburetor. When this type of a device isn’t used the fuel is generally
heated by the car’s electrical system, the exhaust, or the engine
coolant.
· Russell
Fuelmiser
· FuelXpander
· Jacona
Fuel System; Optimizer
The above gas saving products may or may
not help you save in your gas consumption and cost but if you are
seriously looking for a way to save money you may want to consider
trying one or two of the products.
53. Use a fuel cost calculator
Using a fuel cost calculator will help
you to estimate the specific fuel costs for your car. This will help
you in determining how much gas you are using to fuel your vehicle each
year
54. EPA Fuel Economy Ratings
Fuel economy ratings will help you to
make an informed decision when it comes to buying your next car. This
is a great way to save money at the pumps by being as informed as you
possibly can about your next car purchase.
When you are looking around for your new
car many car dealers will be offering you this type of information for
a particular car that they want to sell.
Make sure that you make your own decision
when it comes to determining what vehicle is best for you and your
family.
55. Choose a fuel efficient vehicle
With the information provided to you by
the EPA you can make a wise choice when it comes to buying your next
car. There are many guides out there to help you with your decision.
Never make a rush decision when you are
buying your car or truck. Take your time and make sure that you
comparison shop to make sure that you are getting the best deal that
you can.
Most of the newer cars that are being
produced these days are highly fuel efficient so you can be assured
that you will be making the right choice no matter what type of car
that you buy.
It will all come down to what car is best
for you and which one appeals to you the most. By using consumer guides
you can see which cars are the most popular on the market today.
Source: www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/choosing.shtml
__________________________________________
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56. Purchasing a Vehicle
When you are purchasing a vehicle here
are some things that you should keep in mind if you are thinking about
fuel efficiency:
· Buy a
smaller vehicle that will meet your needs in the city. If you want a
larger vehicle, that you won’t be using on a daily basis, you might
want to think about leasing one.
· Consider
putting yourself on the waiting list of the ever popular hybrid car.
The amount of money that you’ll save in fuel costs will pay off in a
short amount of time.
· Choose
fewer of the "power" options that you are offered when you buy your new
car. These power options include air conditioning, power windows, and
automatic transmission.
· Buy a two
wheel drive if you have no real need for a four wheel drive vehicle.
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57. Learn to drive efficiently
If it’s been years since you learned to
drive you may want to take a refresher course in driver’s education so
that you can drive more efficiently and wisely.
You may have some bad habits that you
have picked up that could be causing you to drive your car in a way
that increases the amount of gasoline use.
Many driving schools will offer special
deals for refresher courses for just this reason….to help you become
more efficient in your driving habits.
If you have a young person in your home
that is learning to drive this is the perfect time for you to become
familiar once again with clean and safe driving habits.
58. Tax deduction
The government will give you a payment if
you are willing to become more environmentally friendly and want to
conserve gas.
The owner of an IRS certified hybrid car
is able to deduct $2,000 in the year that the car was first purchased
and used.
The cars that qualify under the current
law are:
· Toyota
Prius (model years 2001-2004)
· Honda
Insight (model years 2000-2004)
· Honda
Civic Hybrid (model years 2003 and 2004).
Take advantage of these tax deductions if
you are buying a hybrid car or are planning to buy one in the future
months.
59. Miscellaneous driving tips
· Use a
sunshade to keep your car cool and avoid the use of the air conditioner.
· Park in
the shade when it's warm.
· Make sure
that your parking brake is fully released before you start driving.
· Use a
block heater in winter to pre-warm your car engine.
· Don't
ride the brake. Drive with a smooth, constant speed.
· Keep the
transmission fluid in your car at the proper level.
· If there
is smoke is coming from your tailpipe make sure that you make an
appointment with your mechanic.
· Make sure
that your cooling system thermostat in your car is working properly.
· Avoid air
conditioning leaks by constant checkups with your mechanic. Pre-1994
vehicles use CFCs for cooling.
· Immediately
fix a slipping transmission.
· When you
rev up your vehicle's engine it wastes gas. Avoid revving your engine
before your turn it off.
· If you
can’t find a place to buy low priced gas on one day wait if you can
until a few days later since the price of gas is constantly changing.
· Buy your
gas at the wholesale clubs, like Costco. You can often save over 10
cents a gallon or more. If you don't like the wholesale clubs get a gas
credit card. You'll get a 1% to 5% discount when you buy that brand of
gas.
60. Links for useful information
These websites are a great place for you
to find more information about how to save money at the gas pump:
· Advanced
engine performance in new model cars.
www.gm.com/company/gmability/adv_tech/200_ice/fact_sheets.html
· Understanding
fuel economy ratings.
www.autorepair.about.com/library/weekly/aa021251b.htm
· Hot new
hybrid cars.
www.about.edmunds.com/advice/specialreports/articles/101677/article.html
· Determine
how much in fuel and fuel costs a trip will cost you.
www.fuelcostcalculator.com/
· Information
about octane gas.
www.autorepair.about.com/od/generalinfo/a/aa060504a.htm
· General
information about your vehicle and gas consumption. www.fueleconomy.gov/
· Save
money on car expenses. www.askmen.com/toys/cars/30_car_review.html
· Fuel
consumption calculator.
www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/tools/fuel-trip-calculator/fuel-calculator-input.cfm?attr=8
· Gas tips
for Canadians. www.gastips.com/
· Car
tune-up information. www.autoeducation.com/ask_the_mechanic/answer5.htm
· Another
gas pricing site. www.gaspricewatch.com/usgas_index.asp
61. Types of vehicle fuels
Here is a listing of the types of
alternate fuels that are available depending on what type of vehicle
that you drive.
Researching these different fuel types
might give you the incentive to drive a vehicle that uses a lower
priced fuel so that you can save money on your transportation costs.
· Biodiesel
· Ethanol
· Battery-electric
and hybrid vehicles
· Fuel
cells and hydrogen
· Natural
gas
· Propane
Conclusion
After
reading through this e-book on line you should have all the advice,
tips, and information that you need to start saving money at the gas
pumps today.
Start
by slowly implementing one or two of the money saving tips and before
long you’ll start to see a sizeable difference in the amount of money
that you spend each week buying gas for your vehicle.
By
the end of one year you will have saved yourself from $100 to $500 just
by following the suggestions in this e-book.
Keep
track of all your auto expenses in safe place so that you can have
access to any information that you need in a single moment. This will
come in handy if you are trying to determine how much you are spending
in fuel costs or when the last time it was that you had your car
serviced.
Saving
money at the gas pumps is as easy as making a few simple changes in
your life and your driving habits.
All
this money is yours after reading this e-book!
You
don’t need to make big changes all at once but if you try to adopt as
many of the tips and suggestions listed in this e-book you’ll be able
to spend your saved money elsewhere next year!
P.S.
Compare - Shop - Save on an extended auto warranty at
the Warranty Super Center. 
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