How to Save Money on Gas

February 15, 2009

It's true, gas prices are falling back to reasonable prices, and have been around $2 a gallon for months. But we all remember back to when the price of gas was hovering around the $4 mark and with the fluctuating economy, it is still a wise idea to conserve gas. Here are some tips from InsWeb on how to stretch your gas budget.

Don't Drag Race
Driving steadily at the speed limit can really help cut down on your vehicle's gas consumption. Stop-and-go traffic can lower your MPG, so try to avoid congested areas as much as possible. Driving your car too fast can really cost you, both with regard to gas and the subsequent speeding ticket you might receive! Experts say that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like adding an additional 10 to 20 cents to each gallon of gas you buy.

Maintain Your Car
Not only do regular tune-ups prevent unwanted breakdowns, they also help you save money on gas. Some mechanics estimate that a poorly tuned engine can use up to 50% more gas than one that is running well. This includes remembering to change your oil and air filters every 3,000 miles, or as often as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.

Minimize Your Time Behind the Wheel
Try to plan one long trip instead of several short trips; this includes combining errands when possible. If you can, try to carpool, use alternate forms of transportation (buses, trains, subways) or walk if your destination is nearby and you can spare the time. Not only will you be saving money on gas, but you will also be doing your part to save the environment.

Consider Buying a Smaller Car
Smaller cars not only are often less expensive to purchase and cheaper to get car insurance for, but they also use less gas. Also, cars with automatic transmissions get an average of 5 miles per gallon less than manual transmissions, and six-cylinder engines get about 4-5 miles per gallon less than four-cylinder engines.

Shop for Car Insurance
Comparing quotes using the InsWeb online quote form on AskPatty can help you save money on your car insurance; savings that could be used for gas or to pay for your next tune up. Click here to compare auto insurance quotes and start saving money today!

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