How to Reduce Consumption of Gas in Your Car

Recently, automobile gas mileage regulation was adjusted for an average fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon. Automakers have until 2020 to fully implement this change. This means there are still a few years left until they bridge the gap. In the meantime, the single most effective way to save money on gas is not to drive followed by owning a highly fuel efficient vehicle. However, for many people this is not the simplest and most cost affective solution. For this reason one has to assess things like geography, vehicle type, fuel, lifestyle, driving habits etc., to find ways to save on gas. Believe it or not, there are a few things that can be done to save money on gas.

1. Keep an eye out! Keep an eye out for the best gas prices on your way to work or school.

2. Don't drive out of your way to fill up! With the amount of gas you're going to save, you're probably going to be spending more getting there and back.

3. Don't fill up until your tank is full! Keep in mind that the more fuel your tank has in it, the heavier your vehicle becomes. Also, running a vehicle with less than a quarter tank can shorten the life of the electric fuel pump, and running on empty will often destroy the pump because it is forced to run constantly trying to pressurize fuel since it often has access to only air.

4.Watch the speed limit. Every vehicle has an optimum speed for fuel efficiency. For most vehicles, it's around 60 mph. Every 5 mph over the optimum speed is like paying $0.15 more per gallon.

5.Combine trips. Running several errands in one trip not only saves miles, it saves miles per gallon. Shorter trips from a cold start use twice the gas as one trip with the engine warm, even if the mileage is the same.

6.Another thing that a lot of people don't think of concerning gas mileage is the fluid in your transmission and drive axles. If it gets sludgy and dirty, it takes more power to turn the transmission and rear end. Good regular servicing of your vehicle will do more for mileage than most any thing else.

7.Probably the best thing that you can do in this modern age to save gas is to buy a new Diesel. They last longer, get much better mileage and are not the old stinky, smoking vehicles that they were in the past. I currently have a VW Jetta Diesel that I wouldn't trade for all the gasoline powered cars out there.

8. In the summer, instead of using the car's air conditioner, how about rolling down the windows or opening the sun roof (if one is installed). It takes 8 more horse power which decreases the gas mileage available. However, if on long trips in places which are very hot in the summer, it would be more beneficial to use the air conditioning to decrease the extra drag on the windows of the car.

9. DON'T REV UP YOUR ENGINE when you start it. And don't let it idle too long either. Both of these practices waste gas. Your engine warms up faster when you drive your car than it does by idling or revving.

10. DON'T HAVE A LEAD FOOT! Of course this could refer to driving fast, but it also refers to the takeoff. A fast takeoff can burn gas quickly, so be sure to keep your starts and stops slow and gentle.

11.Avoid idling the engine while waiting, as you will be wasting fuel, as idling your engine gets you 0 MPG. If you are going to be stuck somewhere or otherwise have to wait to pick up or drop off someone or something, just turn off the engine, as it saves fuel.

12.When you fill up your car, use a fuel additive that helps increase your car's fuel economy. For example, adding 1 ounce of acetone for every 5 gallons of gasoline increases fuel economy by around 15-20%.

13.Get the junk out of your car: If you don't need it in your car, get rid of it. This includes the spare tire, ski racks, and luggage, as excess weight lowers fuel economy.

14.GPS - A good GPS (Global Positioning System) can cut the costs of your commute by indicating the quickest route and minimizing gas costs spent idling in traffic.

15.Flextime - Take advantage of flextime if offered by your company. Staggered work hours may decrease the commute time and therefore lessen the amount of money spent on gas. You may also be able to find off hour offers for discount parking.