Gasoline Savings For Your Car. Tips On How To Save Fuel and Money.

It’s no secret that gas prices have steadily risen and seem like they’re continuing to do so. Every little bit helps when it comes to saving money at the pump. We’ve put together a great list of ways to save you money. Some you may know, and some you may have never heard of. Feel free to add to this list in the comment section if you have any additional tips.

Knowing how many miles per gallon your car gets is necessary to save the most money. Most cars get between 21 to 48 miles per gallon. If you’re in the market to purchase a new car, you will want to consider fuel efficiency. You may not think it adds up, but it does!

Take the difference between a car that gets 30 miles to the gallon and a car that gets 20 miles per gallon. The difference between these two vehicles adds up to $550 a year. That’s $2,200 in four years and remember, as gas prices increase, so do these savings. Just by purchasing a more fuel efficient car, you can save enough for almost two car payments in a year or a nice vacation in a few years.

If you aren’t buying a new car or you already have a gas guzzler, you’ll need to do everything possible to lower your fuel costs and usage. It’s also not a bad idea to walk, ride a bike, use public transportation, or buy an older model, cheap compact car for your basic city driving and running around. It will pay for itself in a couple of years if not less. Also, this saves wear and tear on your newer vehicle.

Fuel Saving Tips For Your Car That Will Save You Money:

• Make sure you replace air filters regularly. You can save around 10% on fuel costs by having a clean air filter! Clean air filters prevents the dirty impurities from your getting in your engine also.
• Turn off the air! Using the air conditioning and heat in the car while driving causes your engine to use more horsepower which increases your MPG. Naturally, if it’s very hot outside, you can’t keep your car a sauna, but turning it off when possible can will save you money. Drive with the windows down and drive at night on long road trips so it’s less hot.
• Try making less trips per week to the grocery store, bank, etc. Cutting down a few unnecessary trips a week will also increase your gasoline savings. Here’s an easy one, cut down just one restaurant or fast-food trip per week (52 trips a year!) More would be helpful of course. Not only will you save money by cooking at home, or packing your own lunch, but you’ll also save on gas.
• Check the air pressure in your tires! Tires that aren’t properly inflated will lower your gas mileage. Especially in the winter or cold months, your tires will lose air faster. Inflate them equally and have a mechanic do them if you’re not sure of the proper pressure, etc. Most mechanics are gas station garages will do this for free as a courtesy.
• One of the most forgotten or unknown tips is weight. Keep your car as light as possible to get the maximum gas mileage. Remove items from you trunk or back seat if you’re not using them. Things like baby strollers, extra car seats, tool-kits, golf clubs, (real estate yard signs), or any other heavy items should be kept at home or in the garage. We tend to lug around a lot of extra junk and it’s time to stop. Every 100 lbs. of weight you carry in your car will cost you an additional $.02 a gallon. This includes people…
• Remember that each time you press on the gas pedal, the meter starts running. Quickly speeding off will cost you more. The same applies to speeding or stopping and going quickly. Try not to speed to a red light or a stop sign. Instead, roll to the light or to the next car ahead of you in heavy traffic. If you can help it, don’t press the gas. These small steps will help add up the savings in a year’s time.
• Don’t get off the highway to get gas if you can help it. Gas stations by the highway exits usually are higher. They’re higher because they can be. It’s supply and demand. Usually people getting gas from the highway are in a hurry and aren’t willing to travel to get a cheaper price. Remember this and drive a few blocks down the road to save money. It’s worth it.
• Marathon’s Platinum MasterCard offers a 10% rebate. There’s an additional 10% savings on your gas spending a year. Just make sure to pay off the card each month so you’re not paying interest. Some common credit cards also offer cash-back on gas purchases. If you’re going to use a credit card anyway for gasoline, why not get something for it?
• Have you tried buying gasoline with cash and negotiating? There are some gas stations especially the privately owned ones that may give you a discount for paying with cash instead of using a credit card. All you have to do is ask. Credit card charges are hefty for gas station owners. It’s worth inquiring.
• Driving with others is a really good idea. If you have friends, family or co-workers that are going to the same place, why not carpool? The gasoline savings are enormous. Depending on the car you drive and the gas mileage you get, A 30-mile total daily commute  to work (5 days a week) costs about $2,800 per year. Ride sharing with one other person can save you $1,400. Double the figure for a 60-mile total daily commute. It’s certainly something to consider even if it’s only just a couple of days per week. Carpool when you can! the savings are substantial.

Hopefully these tips will save you money each year on your family’s gasoline expenses.

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