13 Ways to Slash your Gasoline Bill

There’s one thing that’s rising almost daily, and it isn’t your paycheck. It’s the price of gas. Sure, there are non-driving things we can do to save on gas: walk, ride a bike, rollerblade, or ride a unicycle (I’ve seen quite a few students use them at our local college campus.) Unfortunately, much of the time, the distance we need to travel or the amount of traffic involved makes it hard to park the car in favor of more fuel friendly options. Truth is, most of us need to drive. Therefore, we need to make the most of our gas mileage and learn how to save money at the pump.

Here are 13 tips to slash your gasoline bill:

1- Slow down. Okay, I’m a lead foot and there are times that I’m more interested in getting somewhere quick than I am saving gas. However, slowing down can significantly improve your gas mileage. Different types of cars are most efficient at different speeds (the average is about 55mph), but most cars lose gas mileage at speeds over 60mph.

2- Maintain a steady speed. When you drive at inconsistent speeds, you waste a lot of gas. Keep a steady distance from the car ahead of you. Use cruise control whenever possible.

3- Turn off the air conditioning. I know, summer is almost here and we love the comfort of riding in an air-conditioned car. Using the AC can cost an extra 10% to 20% in gasoline. But for some of us, we’re okay with that.

4- Close the windows. Having the windows open at a high speed can cause excess drag on the car. Use the air-ventilating system instead.

5- Lose the excess baggage. Heavy cars use more fuel. Lighten your car up by taking out anything that isn’t necessary, especially if it’s heavy.

6- Avoid excess idling. If you are going to be stopped for more than twenty to thirty seconds, turn the car off.

7- Make your car more aerodynamic. Take off any bike or luggage racks or any other car body accessory when you’re not using it. These can cause drag and lower your gas mileage.

8- Check the tire air pressures frequently. Check your cars owner’s manual for the recommended air pressure for your tires. Keeping your tires inflated properly can help your car achieve a higher gas mileage. Check the pressure weekly when possible.

9- Condense your trips. Try to be efficient in your errand running. Get as much done with the least amount of traveling. Plan your routes in advance to avoid wasting gas and time.

10- Avoid stops and starts. Take the freeway or expressway when possible. Slow down gradually when approaching stoplights. Use a light foot on the gas when accelerating and try to avoid stopping where possible.

11- Try mass transit. Research your city’s mass transit options. The average bus, subway, or commuter train ticket could be less expensive than using your own fuel. It also saves the wear and tear on your vehicle. Many municipalities offer discounted fares for students, seniors, and disabled persons.

12- Use the Internet. Search the web for the lowest gas prices in your area. Many local television and radio station websites provide a link of where you can go to find the cheapest prices at the pump.

13- Get your hands on a good Gas Rebate Card. Assuming you can commit to using it responsibly (in other words, paying it off on time and in full every month), a Gas Rebate credit card can potentially save you thousands of dollars every year. We like the BP Visa Rewards Card because it offers a rebate of up to 10% and doesn’t have an annual fee. Not too shabby, but remember: A Gas Rebate Card is only cost effective if you don’t carry a revolving balance!

How are you slashing your gasoline bill?

Popularity: 12% [?]

Related Posts:

Six Ways your Kids can Help out with the Budget!

Sneaky Ways to Save Money

7 Ways to Squash your Credit Card Debt

7 Ways to Destroy your Credit Rating

Trackback URL for this post:

http://masteryourcard.com/blog/2008/05/20/13-ways-to-slash-your-gasoline-bill/trackback/