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The price of gas has risen higher and higher, and often I think it is hard to think we have any conrtol over the amount we spend on gas. But, like most areas, we actually have a lot more influence than we think! So, without further ado...
10 tips to make the most of your gasoline budget (and save gas!)
1. Get a tire gauge and check it every time you get gas. Find out what your owner’s manual recommends for your tire pressure, and keep it there. Generally speaking, a slightly higher pressure will improve fuel mileage and handling, but too high will degrade traction and wear the tires rapidly.
2. Plan ahead so you can combine trips. Make a weekly menu plan and don’t go to the grocery more than once a week! Plan your route if you hit multiple stores for sales, so that you are using gas wisely.
3. If you can walk between several places for errands, do it. At the little strip mall, I can park at the grocery and walk to several stores down the lot. Exercise AND saving gas!
4. Drive carefully. A slower speed, more distance between cars, smooth starting and stopping and other precautions all use less gas.
5. Institute a day (or two, three, four, whatever…) of “No Driving Day” and just don’t go anywhere.
6. Check for deals. At the Speedway near our house, they run specials where if you buy a $25 prepaid fuel card, you save $1. So that is $25 of gas for $24! That can add up! Our Kroger offers a savings of $.10 per gallon on a single fillup for every $100 you spend at the grocery. So check out, you might get a deal!
7. DON’T fall for the “deals” offered by credit cards, like free gas or special pricing. If these were truly amazing deals, they would lose money and go bankrupt. But guess what? They don’t! They know what you don’t: that you WILL pay them enough to make it worth it for them, thus nullifying your gas “Savings”
8. Carpool!!! I found out there were 5 girls from my daughter’s dance class within a half a mile. I organized a carpool, and I only have to drive 1 out of every 5 months now! And I can bless others at the same time by helping them to not have to drive every time!
9. Clean & Clear. Clear out the heavy unnecessary stuff in the trunk or the car, a lighter load uses less fuel. (Also take the smallest car you have whenever you can.) Clean/ change you air filter often and you will realize higher fuel mileage.
10. Turn off the car if you are going to be sitting idle for more than 30 seconds. Idling give you a mileage of exactly 0 miles per hour. Turning on the car is equal to 30 seconds of idling. So while you are waiting for children, etc, turn off the car if you can.
OK, so this is more than 10 … but my last tip is... homeschool! Just think of all the driving to and from school you save!
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Mar. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Jenn