Fuel Cost

9 Tips For Saving On Fuel Costs

By Donovan Baldwin

Except for the selection of the car itself, most tips on saving fuel will not save that much by themselves on a day-to-day basis.  However, combining several tips with time can result in significant weekly, monthly, and annual savings, depending on the type of car you drive, the way you drive it, how often you drive it, and where you drive it. Almost anyone should be able to cut fuel costs dramatically by implementing as many of the following tips as possible.

1.  Driving Habits:  As a general rule, speed probably has the most effect on fuel economy.  Most cars today begin to lose fuel effeciency significantly once you pass 55 mph.  The faster you go, the faster the fuel goes.  If you have the option of driving 65 mph or 75 mph, for example, you will use over 20% more fuel by driving the higher speed.  You will drive a little longer going the slower speed, but the overall savings can be anywhere from $5 to $10 per extra hour the trip takes.  While this might not be much of a savings on the next trip to grandma's house, people who drive a lot can save a lot simply by slowing down, leaving earlier, and planning an effective route.

One driving habit which burns fuel, but which seems to be common is rapid acceleration, staying on the gas until the last minute, and then slamming on brakes.  My wife and I often comment on the number of people who get to the red light ahead of us.  Professional truck drivers often increase their fuel economy by "playing the lights", that is, watching what is happening with the traffic lights ahead, and beginning to slow down when the light turns red, rather than running up and braking rapidly.  It requires less fuel to speed a moving vehicle back up than it does to accelerate from a full stop, and less fuel is burned approaching the light or intersection if the car begins slowing sooner.

2.  Tires:  Properly inflated tires, in addition to being safer than under or over inflated tires, can save fuel.  Use a tire gauge and check the tire for the proper inflation pressure.  A tire, particularly a radial, can be badly under inflated and still appear normal.  Proper inflation will also help insure the longest life for your tires, saving you the costs of early and frequent replacement, and saving the environment in terms of the energy and resources needed to produce those extra tires.

3.  Use Higher Gears:  This might not be of particular importance to those driving automatic transmissions, but getting a car up to cruising speed and putting it in the highest effective gear available uses a lot less fuel.  Beware, however, accelerating too quickly.  Shoving the pedal to the floor in an effort to get to cruising speed quickly can, particularly with older cars, push more fuel through the system than is needed, resulting not only in increased fuel use, but in fouling of the engine due to build ups from partially combusted fuel.

4.  Air Conditioning:  We all used to drive with the windows down, all the time.  Use your air conditioner when it is needed, and you could save a couple miles per gallon.

5.  Planning and Sharing:  Planning any trip can result in fuel savings.  However, many people overlook the short trips to the mall, the cleaners, and the bakery.  Maybe some of these trips can be combined into one rather than several which require you to leave your house, for example, and get to your destination and then return home from where you begin your next trip.  Shopping online is also becoming more popular, and many things from televisions to cell phone service to groceries can be ordered on line.  Many retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target have online stores.  Of course, be careful that the shipping on the item doesn't offset the fuel you save.  Sharing errands with your neighbors and carpooling to and from work can save a lot.

<< Previous    [1]  2    Next >>