66 Ways To Save Money on Gasoline
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
on 06.23.08
Ways to Save Gas and Money: Are You Using Your Vehicle Wisely?
24. Could you walk or bike? Just burn calories, man. Pay attention to why, where, and when you drive.25. Is there a public transportation option available?
Look into public transportation; after you figure in driving around for parking and such, it may actually be faster.
26. Should you get a rental car?
A small car almost always has a better fuel economy due to its smaller mass; in certain situations you may want to rent a smaller vehicle for the trip instead of using your own. (Conversely, you can also choose to buy a smaller car from the get-go, and rent a larger one only when necessary.)
27. Did you maximize the square footage of your vehicle?
For human cargo, carpools reduce travel monotony and gas expense--all riders chip in to help you buy. Carpooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. If you're hauling materials such as wood, fill the whole vehicle on each trip.
How to Save Gas by Planning Your Route
28. No rough stuff. Riding on dirt or gravel will rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.29. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, and straighter.
Compare traveling distance differences--remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight as the crow flies.
30. Avoid heavy traffic and lots of traffic lights.
The shortest route is not always the most fuel efficient if you have to stop a lot.
Getting Ready for Takeoff
31. Are your tires fat or flat? Proper tire pressure will give you better gas mileage. Inflate all tires to maximum limit; each tire should also be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-roundness.32. Lose the top.
Remove vinyl tops, they cause air drag.
33. Lose the racks.
Remove ski, bicycle, or luggage racks from your roof if you don't need it. They also cause air drag.
34. Drop the rest of the dead weight.
Get rid of all extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.
35. Trucks, drop the tailgate.
You will get more mileage if you put down the tailgate due to less wind resistance. [readers say no, but Edmunds says yes mjo]
36. Use your GPS.
A GPS unit will pay for itself in wasted time and gas very quickly.
Page 5 for #37 - 50 Ways to Save Money on Gas: How to Save Gas During Engine Startup and Ways to Save Money While on the Road
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