It’s Good to Know: 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas

Editor’s Note:
It can be hard to think about spending money on fashion and style when your mind is on high gas prices. Here are some useful tips so you can spend some of your disposable income on other things… and still be able to get around town.

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From The Denver Post:

1. Lighten up. Leadfooting at 75 miles per hour instead of 65 will cut your fuel economy by 10%.

2. Avoid the rush hour. Plan trips or stagger your work hours to minimize stop-and-go traffic, which burns more gas than going at a steady speed.

3. Take a load off. Carrying an extra 100 pounds in the trunk cuts fuel economy by 1%.

4. Use your overdrive. If you have a manual transmission, shift up as soon as possible.

5. Keep an eye on your tire pressure. For every 3 pounds below the recommended tire pressure, fuel economy drops about 1%.

6. Keep your car tuned up. A clogged air filter can cut mileage by as much as 20%; a faulty oxygen sensor can cut it by up to 40%.

7. Use the most efficient grade of oil for your car. Using 10W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-30 can cut mileage by 1% to 2%.

8. Use regular gasoline unless your owner’s manual says otherwise. High-octane fuel won’t improve performance in cars that don’t require it.

9. Park in the shade. Fuel evaporates more quickly in direct sun, and air conditioners need more fuel to cool hot interiors.

10. Choose efficiency. A car that gets 30 mpg saves $600 a year in gas costs over one that gets 20 mpg. (We’re assuming $3.00 per gallon and 15,000 miles driven.)

(Sources: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy at greenercars.com; U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency at fueleconomy.gov)

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This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, the Internet’s most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.