Yesterday, I did a post on how to save money while you’re at the gas pump, because this is something that all of us want to do. Gas is so expensive now that you’re happy whenever you can save even as little as a penny here and there while you’re at the pump. The post I did yesterday had a very positive response and some of you were asking if I had anymore tips that I could give out for saving as much money as possible on gas. First of all, I certainly appreciate all of the positive feedback. Secondly, I do have some more tips and I’m going to share them with all of you right now, so let’s get started on more ways you can save money while at the pump.
#1. Check Your Tire Pressure
This is something that my husband and I make a habit of, especially when it’s winter time, because the cold air will cause your tire pressure to go down. Your tires have a huge impact on your gas mileage, so it’s extremely important that you make sure they’re always properly inflated. We make it a habit to check tire pressure on a monthly basis and most vehicles also have a tire monitoring system in them that will tell you how much pressure are in your tires. If your vehicle doesn’t have one of these systems, you can get a tire gauge for as little as $0.99. It’s also important that you don’t overinflate your tires, because that could cause uneven tire wear and decrease the control you have over your own vehicle.
#2. Don’t Drive too Closely to Other Vehicles
In my previous article, I stated that quick acceleration and deceleration will decrease your gas mileage significantly. If you’re driving too close to other vehicles, you’ll make sudden stops more often, so it’s best to maintain a safe driving distance.
#3. Drive Behind Tractor Trailers
Those big trucks on the road can definitely be an annoyance from time to time and it’s extremely tempting to just zoom around them whenever you have a chance, but you should actually stay behind them as much as you can, especially when you’re driving on the interstate. When you’re behind a tractor trailer, you’re increasing your gas mileage, because you’re encountering much less wind resistance. The huge truck in front of you is getting hit with all the wind and you’re not.
#4. Don’t Let Your Car Idle
We’ve all been in the situation where we just stop at a convenience store to allow someone to run in real quick, grab a beverage or something and then run back out. It’s tempting just to sit there and let your car idle, especially if it’s a hot day and you want the luxury of the air conditioner, but you should really just shut your vehicle off. While you’re sitting there idling, you’re getting 0mpg and if you’re running the air conditioner, you’re burning through fuel even faster. Therefore, you should think twice before idling.
