Here are 14 driving tips to save you gas.
1. Avoid “Jack-Rabbit" Starts from the Stoplight
Accelerate slowly when the light turns green. The faster that you accelerate the more gas that you are going to consume.
Make sure you start at the stoplight slow and steady so that you conserve as much fuel as possible while you are going from a stopped position into a driving mode.
It may be tempting to accelerate and race away from the stoplight. Don’t fall into this trap and you can save up to 20 percent in fuel costs just by being a safe driver.
2. Avoid an Idling Vehicle to Save Gas
Try to avoid letting your car idle, even on those cold mornings when you try to heat up the car before driving to work.
Studies show that there is no need to let your car idle for more than 30 – 45 seconds even in cold weather and that idling will reduce your fuel consumption.
New cars are specifically designed for you to be able to start and drive away immediately without any idle time. Make sure that you get up early enough to scrape the snow and ice off your car in the winter months. There is no need to start your car while you are cleaning off your windows.
Finish cleaning off your windows and then start your car when you are ready to leave.
3. Turn Off your Car
Studies show that it’s more fuel efficient to turn off your car than it is to let it idle for much longer than about 45 seconds. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the same amount of gas as when you start the engine.
If you are waiting for someone outside the store, or waiting for an accident up ahead to clear you can turn off your car engine and save yourself some money and fuel.
Plan your trips so that you can avoid those long idle moments that will waste your gas and add dollars onto the price of a gallon. It only takes a second to start your car again if you have turned it off while waiting in a traffic jam that doesn’t seem to be moving.
4. Avoid Sudden Stops and Turns
When you are driving your vehicle avoid braking suddenly or starting abruptly.
Studies indicate that when you brake gradually, start slowly, and avoid sudden stops that you can decrease your gas consumption.
5. Don’t Drive Aggressively!
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
This advice will save you from 5-33% on Gasoline, thats $.12-$.76 a Gallon!
6. Drive the Speed Limit
Make sure that you observe the speed limit. Your gas mileage will decrease rapidly when you travel at speeds over 60 mph. Traveling at 55 mph produces up to 21% better mileage when compared to 65 - 70 mph.
You will be using at least 20 percent more gas when you are traveling at 70 mph than you would driving at 55 mph.
As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
If there are other family members in your home that drive, particularly younger drivers, make sure that you keep them aware of the higher fuel costs that are associated with driving over the recommended speed limit.
Following the Speed Limit will save you 7-23% on Fuel Economy, that’s $.16-$.53 per Gallon!
7. Get Green!
Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.
Remember, by maintain momentum everywhere possible the less inertia your vehicle has to overcome, the less fuel it will use.
8. Anticipate Driving Conditions
Try to anticipate the driving conditions that you will be taking on your route. If you know the traffic is heavy on a certain road try to take an alternate route.
The cleaner and smoother that your driving is the more fuel costs you will save. Take the time to plan your driving routes accordingly. You’ll find that in the long run you’re saving yourself frustration as well as money.
9. Avoid Rush Hour
Try to avoid driving during peak rush hours. When the traffic is crawling along you’ll be wasting gas and creating wear and tear on your car.
10. Accelerate Before Hills
If you are approaching a hill accelerate before you reach the hill. This will help you to use up less gas while you are climbing the hill in your car.
Remember to accelerate in a safe manner or you won’t be able to use this gas saving tip.
11. Avoid Driving Fast in Lower Gears
If you drive at fast speeds using the wrong and often lower gears, you will reduce your fuel economy by as much as 40 percent.
If you are driving a standard vehicle make sure that you know how to properly operate the gears and know when to shift.
12. Keep your Foot Off the Brake
Try to avoid the habit of keeping your foot on the brake, even lightly, when you are driving. When you rest your foot on the brake you use more gas than you would otherwise and you also will wear out your brakes much sooner.
13. Cruise Control
When you are driving on the highway you should be using cruise control whenever possible to maintain a steady pace. This will help to decrease your fuel consumption.
If you are driving a vehicle that currently has no cruise control it’s easy to have installed by your mechanic. Many newer vehicles come with cruise control as a feature and not as a luxury choice for just this reason: to save on fuel costs.
14. Use Overdrive Gears on the Highway
When you are traveling on the highway try to use your overdrive gears. By using your overdrive gears you can improve the fuel consumption in your car during highway type driving.
The concept behind overdrive gears is that they decrease your engine speed, saving you on engine wear and gas consumption.
Save even more Money on Gasoline! Read, "10 Easy Ways to Save on Gas"
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