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How to Get More for Your Money at the Gas Pump
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by:
Mike Collins
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Gas prices have been spiraling out of control
for months, and there is no end in sight.
Increased gas prices do not just hit you when you fill up your tank
though. Just think
about it for a minute and you will realize how many other ways rising
oil and gas
prices will cost you. The price of airline travel and shipping services
are likely
to rise, as is the cost of many other goods as retailers are forced to
pay more for
delivery.
You may even see your property taxes increase as towns have to pay more
to keep their
police cars, fire engines, and garbage trucks on the road.
During times like these it is important to get as much bang for you
buck at the gas
pump as possible.
So how can I save money on gas?
While there is little you can do about the market price of a barrel of
oil, there are
ways to keep down your own personal costs at the gas pump. Here are
some suggestions:
Don't pay extra for premium gas if you don't need it. Consult your
owners manual
and stick to the recommended octane. Most cars run just fine on regular
unleaded
gas and you will get no extra performance by using premium gas.
Shop around. Keep a watchful eye and you'll be surprised at how much
prices can
vary from one gas station to the next. I've seen differences of eight
to ten cents
per gallon between gas stations directly across the street from one
another. Seems
like a small difference but it adds up over time.
Schedule your errands to minimize drive time, or if possible walk.
Travel light. Keeping your car and backseat loaded down wastes fuel as
it requires
more energy to move a heavier car. Take only the essentials (a spare
tire, first-aid
kit, jumper cables, etc.) with you.
Slow down. The faster you drive the fewer the miles you will get per
gallon.
Drive steady. Avoid quick stops and accelerations that waste fuel.
Anticipate braking
ahead of time and ease onto the gas pedal rather than flooring it.
Maintenance is key. Keeping your engine tuned and tires inflated can
make a
difference in your fuel consumption. Under-inflated tires create drag
which causes
the engine to use more energy to propel the car. Plus, it is unsafe to
drive on tires
that have too little or too air in them.
If you are in the market for a new car, consider models that are more
fuel efficient.
Use the air conditioner judiciously. There are two schools of thought
on this one.
The first says you will burn less fuel with the windows down and the AC
off. The
second says that driving with the windows open creates drag, which
wastes more fuel
than would be used if the AC was on and the windows up.
So which one is true? Well...both of them really. The car will consume
more fuel
with the air conditioner on and the windows down, up to about 45-50
miles per hour.
As you drive faster, the drag caused my the open windows will actually
cause high
fuel consumption.
So the rule of thumb is this: keep the AC off and the windows down when
you are
cruising around town and on city streets. Once you reach the highway or
about 50 mph,
roll up the windows and turn the on the AC.
Using these tips will help you save money on gas. While you may not
notice a huge
difference with each fill up, the savings will compound with each fresh
tank.
About the author:
Written by Mike Collins - http://www.saving-money-and-living-debt-free.com
Circulated by Article Emporium
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