Gas prices are high and are on the rise. Every car owner is trying to find ways to save at the pump. Instead of trading in your current vehicle for an expensive fuel-efficient or electric hybrid model, you can follow five easy tricks to save money on fuel costs.
1. Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance can help you save on fuel by maximizing your car’s performance levels.
A car that struggles to keep running cannot be fuel efficient. The low cost of an oil check and frequent change keeps your engine running smoothly. Old motor oil becomes thickened and forces the engine to work harder which burns more fuel.
2. Tire Wear and Pressure
Tires with a lower than ideal air pressure makes more contact with the road and makes your engine work harder to move the vehicle. A tire pressure gauge is inexpensive, easily stowed in a car’s console and simple to read accurately. Attentive checks of tire pressure can increase a car’s fuel efficiency. Uneven tire tread wear also contributes to spending more on fuel. A car that is uneven on its tires needs the engine to work harder to maintain steady movement. It is important to have your tires rotated according to your owner’s manual.
3. Driving Habits
Aggressive driving or frequent speeding will lead to spending more money on fuel. Increased speeds and hard braking habits burn more fuel and force you to fill your gas tank more often. Also, your engine will wear down quicker and require more maintenance. You should maintain a steady, appropriate speed while driving in order to optimize your car’s fuel efficiency.
4. Reduce Weight
Heavy vehicles use more fuel. An easy way to save money on fuel is to reduce the amount of weight you are asking your car to carry. Many car owners develop a habit of tossing belongings in their backseats or trunks where they stay for long periods of time. Extra weight causes the engine to work harder and use more gas. Remove any nonessential cargo from your car in order to save money on fuel.
5. Appropriate Fuel Grade
Not every vehicle requires the highest octane fuel grade. High octane fuel resists premature ignition which keeps your engine from knocking. Unless your car requires premium fuel or has starting knocking, paying the higher price per gallon is a waste of money.
The best way to save money on fuel is to pay attention to how hard you are asking your engine to work. Attentive maintenance and car care can save you a lot of money in fuel each month.
