Thursday, March 13, 2014

Five More Tips To Save Gas

 

1. Clean Out Your Trunk

Trunk storage is handy but heavy items can weigh you down.We all know smaller cars get better gas mileage — but if you're weighing down your car with a set of golf clubs or an emergency water supply in the trunk, it'll take a toll on your fuel efficiency. A loaded roof rack, similarly, will increase weight but also cause aerodynamic drag, cutting mileage by up to 5%.

Every extra 100 pounds is estimated to cut a vehicle's mileage by 2%.

2. Keep Windows Closed

The more aerodynamic your vehicle is, the more open windows will cause a drag and impact your gas mileage's bottom line — up to 10%, a study found.

But, if you're moving at less than 45 mph, wind resistance shouldn't make a significant difference.
Can you compensate for closed windows with the air conditioning? Consumer Reports found a Honda Accord at 65 mph lost 3 mpg in gas mileage when running the A/C. Since you'll lose out either way, it may be a matter of opinion which luxury to go without.

3. Fill Up Your Tires

A reminder to keep up with routine maintenance carries more weight when it will save you money — and a stop by the air pump will do just that. Keeping your tires filled can improve gas mileage by 3% or more.

4. Drive a Steady (and Modest) Speed

Once you break 60 mph, you're losing fuel efficiency — 10% for every additional 5 mph.
Accelerating and hitting the breaks will eat up fuel as well, so if possible, avoid the road during rush hour or other times when stop-and-go traffic is likely.

5. Don't Buy Pricey Gas

It's been thought that premium gas gives cars better gas mileage, but it's untrue. Save money on gas by purchasing the grade that is recommended for your car — you won't benefit by spending more.
Additionally, avoid the gas station on days when prices are higher. If you’re running on empty, you may not be able to wait, but what if you could predict if gas prices will rise or fall tomorrow?

Fuelcaster™, the latest tech from Esurance, is the industry’s first gas price predictor. Enter your zip code on fuelcaster.com to see if gas prices will rise or fall tomorrow, as well as locate the cheapest fuel in your neighborhood.

Fill up when prices are low and you'll save money in the long run.

Credit to Mashable.com

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