Beat The Gas Pump

By Stephanie Tallman Smith

High gas prices got you down? Don’t let those car ads fool you into thinking the only way to lower your fuel consumption is to buy a hybrid. For some people that just isn’t an option. Maybe you need your truck for work. Maybe you need the SUV to carry a load of kids back and forth to soccer practice. Maybe you just can’t afford a new car right now. Don’t worry. The truth is there are steps every car owner can take to lower their gas costs no matter what kind of car they drive.

1. Check your tires. Properly inflated tires produce less drag on the car, allowing it to roll more efficiently down the road. Under-inflated tires require more work for the engine to turn, burning more fuel.

2. Follow the speed limit. The 55 mph limit on federal highways may have resulted in the slogan “55 Saves Lives” however that was just icing on the cake. The real reason the speed limit was lowered to 55 mph back in the 1970’s was because of the oil crisis. The slower you drive the less fuel you use, no matter what distance you are traveling. This is not to say people should putt along doing 40 mph on a 70 mph Interstate, but whatever the speed limit is, stick to it.

3. No more junk in the trunk. If you’re like most people you have between 50 and 100 extra pounds of “stuff” stored in your trunk or cargo area. This “stuff” might be boxes of clothes you meant to drop off at the charity thrift store, or tile samples you picked up at the home improvement store, or birthday presents you’re hiding from the kids. Whatever it is, get it out of the car. The heavier the car the more work it takes to push it down the road. The harder the car works the more fuel it burns. The only things you should carry in your trunk on a regular basis are emergency roadside tools, a disaster preparedness kit and essential work related items such as a briefcase, sample set or tool belt.

4. Get a tune up. Properly maintaining your car can save you as much as 10% on gasoline over the course of the year. If you’re driving a large pickup or SUV, that could be $500 a year in savings. Change your oil every 3,000 – 5,000 miles depending on manufacturer recommendations. Change your air filter regularly. Have the belts inspected by a knowledgeable source twice a year. Following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is a critical step in lowering your fuel costs. An extra benefit is the fact your car will last longer and spend less time in the repair shop, saving you even more money.

Whether you drive three thousand miles a year or thirty thousand, it is still possible to save money on gas by reducing how much you use in the course of your everyday driving. This has the added benefit of helping to lower demand. Lower demand means greater supplies, which in the world of business translates into lower prices. So take a moment to check your speed, check your trunk, and check your tires. Try it for a week and see how much extra cash you have in your pocket. Multiply that times 52 and sit back while waiting for the savings to roll in.

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