10 Ways to Drive More… with Less Gas!

  1. Full of hot air? Er, not you… your tires! Under-inflated tires can cost you up to 2 miles per gallon!

  2. Schedule your car for a complete physical before your trip! Clogged air filters cause your engine to work in overdrive. The result? Your car uses more gas. So, get your vehicle checked out ahead of time and you won’t worry about overheating in Death Valley or breaking down near the Louisiana swamps – unless of course, that’s your type of thing.

  3. Use your car’s air conditioner and you spend more at the pump. Why? The air conditioner requires the engine to work harder and can increase gas consumption up to 20%. Instead of running the AC the entire trip – weather and temperature permitting – open your windows and let Mother Nature keep you cool the old-fashioned way!

  4. The next time the traffic light changes from red to green, refrain from pressing the pedal to the metal a la Mario Andretti. Mashing down on the accelerator causes your car to gobble gas like it’s still just 36¢ a gallon. (Yes, that was 1970!)

  5. Do you really need your SUV to take the family to the Grand Canyon? A large vehicle sucks gas out of the tank and precious George Washingtons out of your wallet. Instead, consider renting a midsize car that gets 30 miles per gallon, as opposed to your four-wheel drive SUV that only ekes out 18!

  6. “Do you know why I stopped you?” asked the police officer after clocking you whizzing by at 65 in a 55 mph zone. What’s more, you actually use more gas by driving faster. According to the EPA, every 5 mph over 60 is like adding a dime to the per-gallon cost of your gas!

  7. A frosty coffee drink from your favorite java chain sure tastes good on a hot summer day. Assuming you’re the only one in the car, turn off the engine when you go inside the store. One minute of idling uses more gas than if you simply restarted the ignition. Now you can afford a large mocha java instead of a small one!

  8. Road rage not only cost lives, but money as well. Aggressive driving increases gas consumption as much as 33% on the highway and 5% in the city. Slow down and enjoy a safer, more peaceful, and budget-friendly ride.

  9. Consider leaving the car parked once you’ve arrived at your destination. What better way to see that resort town or relish the views of the mountains than by hiking or biking? Enjoy the fresh air… get some exercise… and give the car (and your credit card) a break!

  10. Go cruisin’ in your Thunderbird with your best girl! Okay, so you have a Plymouth Voyager and your kids in tow. Same difference. Setting your cruise control during highway driving helps you maintain a constant speed, which results in better fuel economy.


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