A few weeks ago, I was at work and my non-driving coworker asked the rest of us (all drivers), “Did you know that gas prices are going up?” “Um yes! We have noticed that!” You probably have too. With gas prices rising, it seemed like a good time to pass on a few tricks for saving money on gas.
1. Reduce your use. Hoof it, carpool, bike, take public transportation … or all of the above. Using these modes of transportation, even if just a few times a week, can save you big in the long run. Combining errands and taking the first parking spot you see can help, too.
2. Scout prices. Grab gas in the least expensive spots you can. This site shows gas prices across the nation so you can research the least expensive spots near you. Just don’t drive too far out of your way for cheap gas, or you could be costing yourself even more.
3. Make it a smooth ride. Reduce constant speeding up and braking, especially in traffic. Maintaining a constant speed will help to reduce the amount of gas you are using.
4. Turn off the air. Depending on weather where you live, this might be a no-go. But for those of you who blast the air conditioning unnecessarily, turning it down a notch or off whenever possible can help you cut gas usage too.
5. Go manual or hybrid. If you’re in the market for a car, consider getting a manual car instead of an automatic, or a hybrid. Both are more fuel-efficient than most automatic cars. Another trick: while driving a manual car, shift up early and shift down late.
6. Take the right route. Sometimes the short route is not as sweet as you think. If you can avoid heavy traffic and multiple stops, a longer route can actually save you money in gas.
Granted, these are just a few little tasks to get you started. For tips on cash-saving car maintenance, check out last week’s blog post here.
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