Thursday, April 14, 2011

Save $$; Save Gas!

...I apologize for my lack of blogging lately (not that anyone has noticed)... I will return shortly to catch up on life in Jelli's World.. but for now... I want to pass on some much needed tips for saving gas from a great blog called Frugal Mom!

5 Easy Ways to Save at the Gas Pump





Unless you’ve been hiding away in some remote and exotic location, you are more than aware that gas prices are surging. Currently the average cost of gas per gallon is $4 nationwide, but experts suggest prices could continue to increase. Here are some simple tips to help you save a bundle on gas.






1. Go Green






Leave your car in the garage and practice green modes of transportation. Walking and bicycling are often practical alternatives to driving, not to mention great exercise. Use public transportation or carpool with friends and co-workers whenever possible.






2. Ease off the Lead foot






This might be a little difficult for those who are used to driving fast, but this is the easiest way to save on gas. Speedy drivers burn more fuel at a faster rate, so do your absolute best to drive the speed limit. In addition, anticipate your stops more effectively. Accelerating to high speeds and then breaking suddenly is also one of the easiest ways to waste fuel (many people stuck in traffic jams drive like this). If you see that there is a standstill ahead, simply release your foot off of the break so your vehicle naturally decelerates on its own. If you’re the type who happens to have a heavy foot, consider using cruise control—it helps you maintain a constant speed.






3. Lose the Excess Weight






Clean out your car and empty the trunk—you can keep your spare tire, but get rid of all the excess junk. The more your car weighs, the more you will need to accelerate to get the car going. Accelerating excessively burns gas at a quicker pace. Excess weight affects smaller vehicles more, but every bit helps.






4. Fill up in the Early A.M.






To get a better bang for your buck it’s generally best to not only fill up, but to do so in the morning. Gas is cooler in the mornings and therefore it is more dense. As the day warms up, the gas expands and becomes less concentrated. If you fill up your tank in the heat of the day, the gas can expand and potentially overflow.






5. Skip the A.C. and Turn off the Car






If the weather permits, crack open a window. Constantly using the A.C. eats up your gas in no time, so let in some fresh air. If you live in an area where turning off the A.C. is impossible, then at least park in a shaded area so your car doesn’t have to work so hard to cool down. It’s also a good idea to turn off your A.C. a few minutes before you reach your final destination. It’s equally important that you don’t leave your car idle—turn it completely off. According to experts, leaving your car idle for just 3 minutes can waste about a half-mile worth of fuel. Consider this when going through a packed fast food drive through.






Additional tips:






Always remember to use your shoppers discount card for additional savings.


Make sure your fuel cap is ok–you don’t want to risk losing gas due to evaporation.


Know the best gas prices. Gasbuddy.com is a great resource for finding the best prices in your area.


Know how many miles you have left when your gas light comes on. Visit TankonEmpty.com for more information–you might have far more than you think

1 comment:

FROGGITY! said...

hi there! long time no talk. sorry bout that...

i need tips about this... we're traveling lately and it is PAINFUL. i really wish i could walk there... sigh!

anyhow, hope you are doing well!

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