Tricks to Better Gas Mileage: Driving with Windows Up to Limiting Excess Weight

If you are like I, you cringe every time you have to fill up your car. With the economy in a downfall, or perhaps even in a recession, who knows what we will pay a year from now? So what can we do? There are a few small things that actually can help you achieve better gas mileage and save money. Some of theses things are perhaps something that you have already implemented but, perhaps I can add more tools to your arsenal of money saving tips.

Don't drive like a crazy person.

Aggressive driving, fast acceleration and braking will lower your gas mileage. Not to mention that you actually will become safer both to yourself and others.

Limit excess weight!

Think about it, an extra hundred pounds will actually reduce the MPG by up to 2%. What do you have in your vehicle that is not necessary and just adding more weight to your vehicle? Something that I also have started to do is to only fill up the car half full, one gallon of gas weighs about 5.7 LBS and by doing that I reduce the weight of my car by almost 60LBS

Check your tires.

A very important part of the quest of getting more miles per gallon is checking the tire pressure. Check you owners manual or the sidewall for recommend pressure. Under-inflated tires can create drag and run hot and that can actually reduce the lifespan for the tire as well as reduce the MGP's with up to 4% for every 5 pounds that it is under-inflated.

Maintain the posted speed limit.

This will not just help you with your gas mileage but if you get caught you stand to loose many of your hard earned dollars. If you just lower the speed from 70 to 60 you will save about $0.30 per gallon of gas.

Do not idle if you don't have to.

Idling will get you a massive 0 miles per gallon and that is not disputed by anyone. If you will stop for over 60 seconds with the car running, shut it off. It actually takes more fuel to idle for sixty seconds than it takes to re-start your vehicle.

Avoid driving with the windows or sunroof open.
If you have your windows or sunroof open you will decrease the aerodynamics of your vehicle and increase the drag. This is an easy way to save fuel.

Don't fall for scams that offer you incredible gas savings.
If it's too good to be true it is probably too good to be true. Be highly skeptical about any gadgets or solutions that promised you massive improvements on your vehicles gas mileage. Remember that it is not just the fact that you will loose your hard earned money but, you can even damage your vehicle.

Plan your driving.
Before you take a drive, plan and think about the trip that you are about to take. Is there a shorter route? Think about how many red lights that you might encounter. Can you avoid getting stuck in traffic by leaving earlier or later?

These are a just few tips that you can utilize to achieve better gas mileage and to save money.