Advertisement
|
|
Viewing Do You Know How to Save Money on Gas While You Travel?Do You Know How to Save Money on Gas While You Travel?
By Kathy Steinemann
|
Escalating gas prices have resulted in more expensive air, bus, and plane tickets. However, YOU have some control over the costs if you travel by car. This article provides some helpful tips. Escalating gas prices have resulted in more expensive air, bus, and plane tickets. However, YOU have some control over the costs if you travel by car: 1. Consider switching to synthetic motor oil. It minimizes engine friction, and can result in considerable savings. Some brands claim 5%-20% reductions in fuel consumption. 2. Use the grade of oil recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. It is the optimum viscosity. 3. Purchase gas of the recommended octane rating. High-octane fuels can actually damage some engines. 4. Choose the coolest time of day to fill your gas tank. Heat causes gas to expand. Since gas is dispensed by the gallon (or liter), not by weight, you will actually get more for your money when the outside temperatures are cooler. 5. Ensure that your gas cap is tight after each fill-up. Evaporation through an improperly sealed cap can dissipate a significant amount of gas. 6. Check tire pressures before every trip. Driving on underinflated tires causes drag and poor gas mileage. (Never be without a tire gauge within easy reach.) 7. Don’t drive on bald tires. Besides being unsafe, they increase gas consumption. 8. Always turn off the engine if you plan to leave it idling for more than one minute – this includes pre warm-ups. If necessary, start your vehicle, let it idle for one minute if the weather is cold, and then proceed slowly for a couple of minutes. 9. Continually starting and stopping the engine is bad for gas mileage (and not the best thing for your motor and battery, either). Each time you restart the engine, you use about the same amount of fuel that you would during one minute of idling. 10. Always drive at the posted speed limit or slightly slower, and utilize your cruise control. A lead foot will hurt the wallet. When you drive, pretend that you have an egg between the floorboards and your gas pedal. This technique will improve fuel consumption. 11. Take it easy on the brakes. If you are continually braking and accelerating, you are probably driving too fast. The brakes and the engine work against one another. Aim for smooth acceleration and deceleration. 12. Pack light. Try to leave heavy items at home. Extra weight in your vehicle increases gas consumption. 13. Wash and scrape. Cars caked with mud, snow, or ice increase wind resistance. Get rid of the drag. 14. Avoid using the air conditioner when feasible. 15. Make sure that your car is well-maintained. A tuned-up engine with clean oil will purr its way past the pumps (and when you get your oil changed, add some fuel injector cleaner as well). 16. Before you leave, find out where the cheapest gas stations are along the route. Start with a website like gasbuddy.com or your favorite search engine. However don't burn more fuel than you will save, by driving too far out of the way. 17. If you own a large vehicle, try a temporary trade with a friend or relative who owns an economy-size car. (Call your insurance agents before your trip to make sure that there are no problems with your insurance policies.) 18. Burn shoe leather - not gas! Once you arrive at your destination, park your vehicle and walk as much as possible. That's how you really become familiar with a vacation spot. Be kind to your pocketbook, protect the environment - and use that extra cash to do something special on your holiday! (c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included. About the Author: Planning a holiday? Search 111 Travel Directory for bed and breakfasts. 1000 Tips 4 Trips has over 1000 travel tips. Looking for a place to vent your frustrations over rising gas prices? Check Stop Gas Gouging dot Com. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) More free articles: 1st Rate Articles - 1stRateArticles.com |
 Print
|