Econodemica

Gas is nearing $4.00 per gallon… Here are some tips to help you save money on gas:

Keep your tires inflated properly. Tires that are underinflated waste gas and also wear out more quickly.

Make sure your engine is tuned. A properly performing engine burns less fuel. Change your oil regularly.

Make sure your gas cap is fastened securely. Fuel can evaporate from the tank if it has a way out.

Buy the lowest grade gasoline your car will take without knocking or pinging. There is no reason to spend money on premium fuel otherwise.

Use a gas card or credit card with rewards when paying for your fuel. Discounts on gasoline or cash back can save you big bucks during the course of a year.

Don’t make fast starts or sudden stops. Drive at a consistent speed. You want to have gradual acceleration and avoid unnecessary breaking. Also, the faster you drive the more gas your car burns. Driving around the speed limit will save gas (and money on speeding tickets). Use cruise control on the freeway to maintain a constant speed and avoid unnecessary acceleration.

Buy a more fuel efficient car. Different cars get different gas mileage. When you buy a car, take into account the money you will be spending on fuel.

Shorten your commute. Live as close as possible to your office or school. Not only will you save money on gas, but you’ll improve your quality of life as you spend less time in traffic.

Don’t run the air conditioning if it is not necessary. Air conditioning can lower your gas mileage by up to 20 percent.

Don’t drive when you don’t need to. Carpool, walk, ride a bike, or take a bus. Not only will this save gas, but it may be better for your health while also helping the environment.

Plan your trips in advance to avoid unnecessary driving and backtracking. You may also want to buy a GPS system to help you find the shortest route to your destination.

Wait until your tank is near empty before refueling. Your car burns less fuel when it is carrying a lighter load.