Beating Rising Gas Prices

Posted by MoneySavvy on Aug 17th, 2010 | no comments home title

The cost of gas is continually rising. However, that doesn’t mean you need to keep paying more for the gas you put in your car. There are some tricks you can use to improve your mileage and use less gas. Here are some suggestions for beating rising gas prices.

Check your tires – Under-inflated tires are one of the most common culprits of less than optimal mileage. When they are under-inflated, you need to use more gas to keep the car moving. Since tires lose air due to time and temperature, it is worth checking them regularly. Get a reliable tire gauge and test your tires once a month. Your car’s instruction manual will tell you the optimal tire pressure for your car.

Avoid idling - Idling is letting the car run without going anywhere. This is a common way of wasting gas. We idle while waiting for the kids to get out of school, while picking up a friend, or warming up a car in cold weather. If you’re waiting for more than a couple of minutes, though, you’ll use more gas than if you turned your car off and restarted it. Also, many people let their cars idle longer than necessary in cold weather. Besides saving your gas, turning your car off will also be better for the environment.

Use public transportation – If possible, use public transportation instead of driving. Some cities have great transit systems that can get you anywhere within a reasonable time. You may have to plan ahead of time, and be more organized, but the savings on your gas could make it all worthwhile.

Car sharing – Car sharing gives you the flexibility of driving without the hassles of owning a car. When you participate in a car sharing network, you have access to a fleet of vehicles. You can reserve what you need and have access to it at any time of day, without all the extra expenses. You only pay for the time you use the vehicle.

Carpooling – Carpooling is a great way to keep costs of gas down. Share a ride with a friend or two who are going to the same place. This can work for shuttling kids around town or driving to work. You can take turns driving or split the cost of the gas. Some cities even have carpool lanes to encourage carpooling and make it easier to get where you’re going if you’re in a carpool.

Keep speed low - One of the easiest ways to keep your gas costs down is simply to drive a little slower. As your speed increases, the fuel you use increases exponentially. If you can keep your speed until 60 miles an hour, that is optimal for your best gas mileage.

If you’re thinking of buying a newer car, buy a hybrid – Replacing your car just to get better gas mileage is probably impractical. But if you’re in the market for a new car, you may want to consider a hybrid that uses less gas.

It is possible to beat rising gas prices. Don’t let them hold you hostage. Instead, use some of these tips to improve your mileage and spend less money.