Gasoline prices have been exponentially increasing over the years, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to effectively manage the costs of driving. For example, improving your gas mileage by only two or three miles per gallon can reduce your overall gas bill by 10 percent. Here are some other fuel-saving tips to consider:
• When you start your car, allow it to idle for only a minute or less before placing it into gear and driving off. You adversely affect your gas mileage by allowing your car to idle, especially in gear.
• Always accelerate slowly and steadily. Feel the gears in your transmission engaging firmly—that means you’re using the transmission rather than the engine to build momentum.
• Anticipate braking as much as possible so you’re slowing your speed with the same deliberate pacing as when you’re building momentum. Driving at the speed limit or higher and slowing rapidly at intersections or for traffic uses more gas than allowing the engine to slowly throttle down and the transmission to downshift steadily.
• Be conscious of your speed on the highway. When in high-speed traffic, it’s tempting to keep up with the flow and drive over the speed limit, but reducing your speed by five or 10 miles per hour can make a significant difference in your gas mileage. For example, driving at 62 mph instead of 75 mph can reduce fuel consumption by 15 percent.
• Avoid engaging the passing gear or any rapid acceleration on the highway. Steady acceleration and speed is easier both on your gas tank and the moving parts in your engine and transmission.
• Use cruise control as much as possible. Cruise control settings use moderate throttle settings under most driving conditions, and tests have shown that constant highway speeds produce better gas mileage than driver controlled speeds.
• Keep your car tuned properly. Optimal efficiency in your ignition system reduces combustion waste.
• Make sure the air pressure in your tires is at the higher end of the acceptable range, reducing the drag and friction between the road and the tires.
