DriveSmarterChallenge.com Shows How to Save at the Pump

Gas prices continue to rise. Yet we still need to drive. Be it to work or the beach. How can you save at the pump? A new website http://www.drivesmarterchallenge.com has some tips.

I took the challenge, and did indeed find some ways to save a few gallons. After entering my vehicle data it told me my savings could be $400.00. How you ask? Read on.

The first tip is tire inflation. Properly inflate your tires to the manufacturers recommendation. This information is found on the sidewall of the tire, as well as the door frame. This alone could save me 20 gallons a year , or over $65.00. Considering I paid $4.09 a gallon this morning , the savings would be well over $80.00 per year.

Oil. Use correct oil. What? I know at the place where my oil changes are done they just change it. To be honest I have no idea what the different oil grades mean. I did not even know they had standardized exams. But by following your vehicle manufacturers recommendation mileage can improve 1-20%. The recommendation should be in your owners manual. This can save up to $40.00 per year. From now on I will specify the grade to be used.

Next tip is to reduce your driving. The drive smarter challenge calls it vehicle miles traveled (VMT). I say duh!. Naturally if we drive less, or don't drive at all we will save. But seriously if you can combine trips, walk, or bike occasionally the savings can add up. A 5% reduction in VMT can equal $100.00 in savings. Think about it. How many times have you gone back to the store for a single item? Live without it till the next trip and save.

Remember you are not on the NASCAR circuit. Rapid acceleration, rapid breaking, and speeding are brutal on your gas mileage. Reduce these three behaviors and improve your mileage by up to 33% at highway speeds. For my vehicle that translates to more than $260.00 annually.

In town drive sensibly. There are separate mpg estimates for city and highway driving. Again those jackrabbit starts and stops will hurt your fuel economy. By driving sensibly my savings will total $100.00 per year.

Lose weight. In your trunk that is. Your car trunk. My wife gave me a bag full of old magazines for the art teacher. They have been sliding around my trunk for months. Do I need them back there? No. Could the art teacher use them? I have no idea. Are they unnecessary weight in my trunk? Definitely. For every 100 pounds of extra weight in your vehicle, fuel economy drops 2%. Easy way for me to save, give the magazines to the art teacher.

When taking the challenge you are asked whether or not you accept each tip given. I accepted each and my savings again was $400.00 per year. This will change according to what you drive.

After the challenge you can challenge a friend. If you enter a friends name and email address you are rewarded with a money saving coupon to print out. My coupon was for a Bosch o2 sensor. Not really sure what one of those are. But I can save on the purchase of one.

With today's fuel prices I will take all the money saving help possible. You should as well. Go ahead and take the challenge before your next trip.

Resource: http://www.drivesmarterchallenge.org