|
1.
Maintain Your Tire
Pressure
Studies have shown that drivers use up to 10% less gas
simply by keeping their tires inflated at the recommended level.
Read the sidewalls of your tires to find their optimal level of
inflation (usually measured in PSI).
[Potential Savings = 10%]
2. Use a Gas Rebate Card
Paying for your gas purchases with a rebate card can
give you up to 10% cash back on all the gas you purchase –
automatically .
The most popular gas rebate cards are offered by
Discover®
(5% rebate)
and American
Express® (3% rebate).
Refer to the charts to your right for a comparison of current
offers and links to their online applications.
[Potential Savings = 3% to 10%] 3.
Observe Speed
Limits
The optimal range for fuel efficiency is 35 mph to 55 mph. For
each 5 mph you drive over 55 mph, your fuel efficiency decreases
by about 7%. Adhering to speed limits is not only a safer way to
drive; it will help you save on gas as well.
[Potential Savings = 7%] 4. Avoid
Excessive Idling
When your vehicle is idling, it is burning gas while sitting
in place. In other words, idling gets you 0 miles-per-gallon. By
simply avoiding excessive idling, you can cut down on your gas
consumption by 2% or more.
[Potential Savings = 2%]
5. Remove
Excess Weight
Are you carrying any unnecessary items in your vehicle?
Removing "dead weight" can increase your gas mileage
by as much as 2% for every 100 pounds you remove.
[Potential Savings = 2%]
6. Use
Your Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway is a great way to
regulate your speed and, in turn, improve your gas mileage. By
avoiding fluctuations in your speed, you can save as much as 5%
on gas.
[Potential Savings = 5%]
7. Use
Overdrive
When your vehicle is in overdrive, its engine does not have
to work as hard to maintain a high driving speed. This results
in less wear-and-tear on the engine as well as better gas
mileage.
[Potential Savings = 2%]
8. Compare
Fuel Economy Ratings
Before purchasing your next vehicle, be sure to compare the
fuel economy ratings of various vehicles. These ratings
are posted on the window of every new vehicle (and many used
vehicles) at dealerships throughout the U.S. Choosing a
hybrid vehicle that gets 52 miles-per-gallon rather than an SUV
that gets 13 miles-per-gallon would give you 75% better gas
mileage.
[Potential Savings = 75%]
9. Perform
Regular Maintenance
A simple tune-up can result in gas savings of up to 4%, and
replacing a faulty part such as an oxygen sensor can save you as
much as 40%. Changing your oil and air filter regularly
can also result in better mileage. Always be sure to use the oil
grade recommended for your particular engine.
[Potential Savings = 4%]
10. Get
Cash Back
Some credit card providers offer a cash back reward for gas
and auto maintenance purchases, as well as other purchases made
with the card. These cash back rewards can range from a standard
5% if the card is used to purchase gas at any gas station, up to
10% if the purchase is made at a particular gas station. Refer
to the chart to your right for a complete breakdown of cash back
offers from major credit card providers, along with links to
each card's online application.
[Potential Savings =
10%]
|
