Gasoline-Saving Tips to Combat High Price$
Some conventional - as well as offbeat - gas saving tips gleaned from a variety of sources:
Fill-up the gas tank in the morning. Experts at Parade say a driver will get a little more gasoline per gallon if the gas tank is filled when temperatures are cooler. Over time, the extra bit of fuel mounts up.
Use the air conditioner when it makes sense. Running the air conditioner greatly increases gasoline use. If rolling down the windows will cool the vehicle off, don't turn on the air conditioner. On sunny hot days, park the vehicle in a shady spot.
Roll-up the windows. When traveling down the highway, less energy is expended running the air conditioner than it takes to overcome the aerodynamic drag from open windows. At speeds less than 40 miles an hour, especially in town, the reverse is true.
Avoid speeding. Not only will you avoid getting a ticket, but driving at reduced highway speeds can save fuel. If you can, keep speed constant by using the cruise control. If you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, use the overdrive setting which shifts the vehicle to a gas-saving mode around 50 miles an hour.
Buy regular gasoline. A number of drivers purchase premium gasoline even though their vehicle does not need that much octane. While high compression or high horsepower vehicles need premium, most vehicles do not. Savings can add up every time you fill-up.
Check the trunk. While certain items are essential - a spare tire, the tire jack and any emergency supplies - other items can decrease fuel efficiency. Check the trunk and remove any heavy items that may not be needed.
When idling makes sense. If the engine will be idling for two to three minutes - waiting at a fast food drive-through, for example - more fuel will be used than with restarting the engine.
Perform regular maintenance. Changing oil every 3,000 miles or so is recommended. Changing dirty air and oil filters and worn spark plugs also improves gas mileage.