With gas prices going up, and looking like they will only continue to go up, people are asking themselves what they can do to conserve gas, so they don't have to make so many trips to the gas station. There are many things you can do make the gas in your tank stretch further. I have come up with a few tips that have helped me keep gas in my tank.
Tire pressure
Having the right tire pressure allows your car to travel more smoothly and evenly, thus taking strain off the engine. When your engine doesn't have to work as hard, it uses less gasoline. If you're not sure how much pressure should be in your tires, it's written along the outside of the tire. Look for PSI, and the number preceding that is the tire pressure. My tires, for example, need to be at 32 PSI. Make sure you get a tire pressure gauge at your local auto dealer or garage. They're fairly inexpensive.
Extra weight
Go through your vehicle and see if there is any unnecessary weight in your car. Look in the trunk, the back seat, or if you have a truck like I do, look in the bed. The same logic as tire pressure applies. The more weight your vehicle carries, the harder the engine has to work and therefore uses more gas. The lighter the vehicle, the less the engine works and therefore uses less gas.
Filters
Make sure that your oil and air filters are clean. If they're not, replace them. Most vehicles list in the owner's manual what type of filters your car needs, and most you will able to install yourself. Having clean filters keeps the engine clean and working less. You can see a pattern here can't you? Keeping the engine working less, uses less gas.
Do your errands at one time
This is the most important one in my opinion, especially if you happen to live in the country like I do and not down the road from where you need to go. Coordinate all your errands into one trip. This ensures that you drive your car once to get everything done, instead of going out, coming home and then going out again. The more you drive the more gas you use.
These tips are something that all of us can do, and in some cases won't cost you anything. Having clean filters, depending on what kind of car you drive, can literally add miles per gallon.
Most of us cannot afford to go out and purchase a hybrid vehicle or an import that will give us 25-30 miles per gallon, but we can afford to do the above. Keeping gas in your tank, keeps money in your pocket, and that's not a bad thing is it?!
