With gas prices at record highs and only expected to go up, we all need some reminders on how to save money on gas. Not everyone can afford to switch to a hybrid, nor want to, but there are some simple ways to increase the MPG on your current vehicle. It takes a few changes in driving habits, but once you start, they’ll become second nature and you’ll be saving money before you know it!Many of these tips you’ve probably already heard before, but they bear repeating. I’ve picked what I think are the easiest ones to do. Furthermore, they are the ones with the biggest bang for your buck.
1. Slow down you move too fast. It’s easy to get in the habit of driving over the speed limit. Who doesn’t want to save a little time in the car if traffic is moving quickly? But, for every 5 mph you reduce your highway speed, you can reduce fuel consumption by 7%.
2. Idling. Not only does idling cause extra air pollution and dirty looks from those having to breathe in your exhaust, it wastes a lot of gas. If you will be idling for more than 30 seconds, go ahead and just turn off the car. You’ll save money and fumes. And, unless you live in the Arctic, warming up your car isn’t necessary with newer vehicles.
3. Get that junk out of your trunk. Hauling around all those extra supplies on the offchance you will need them or just generally being too lazy to take your purchases out of your trunk will cost you. For every 100 extra pounds you keep stored in your car, you lose about 1 to 2% in fuel efficiency.
4. Lay off the leadfoot. Smoothing out how you drive is definitely one way to keep the gas in your tank and out of the atmosphere. Quickly accelerating or decelerating is a surefire way to waste gas. Keep an eye on traffic ahead – if you see it slowing down, take your foot off the gas. If the stoplight ahead is yellow or red, try to coast all the way to the stoplight. Easing up on the leadfoot can potentially save 33% on the highway and 5% around town.
5. Drive less. This tip should be fairly obvious, but sometimes you just need a kick in the pants (like $4.50 a gallon) to remind you to combine trips, carpool, try alternative transportation (bus, biking or walking), or just skip the trip altogether if you can. This one will give you the biggest bang for your buck. So, now’s the time to be a little creative on how you get around town, you might find you actually enjoy it!
An original 5 Minutes for Going Green post. You can read more from Deanna Duke at her blog Crunchy Chicken where she writes about the environment, peak oil, sustainable living, urban homesteading, and pretty much whatever is grinding her crackers.
These are great tips! I don’t go over the speed limit, but I sometimes tend to have a lead foot! But overall, I am trying to drive less! :)
I am usually the butt of speeding jokes as I have a habit of putting the pedal to the metal. I’m getting much better though and since I drive a Tahoe every bit helps. I am driving a lot less, which I’m sure is helping us save although my bank account is not showing it!
The huge price of gas is definitely tough on most families, but at least the positive side is that it’s helping as all to try to reduce our gas emissions.
Deanna, thank you so much for joining our “5 Minutes for Mom” family and for sharing these helpful tips.
Hey, have you heard of hypermiling? I just read about it over at Greenhab: The Browns Go Green and I am intrigued. I have offloaded most of the junk in my trunk (heh heh) but usually carry emergency supplies back there (food and water – heavy). What’s yr take on that?
I do as much hypermiling when I’m driving as is safe. There are a lot of practices that are too dangerous as far as I’m concerned such as drafting semi-trucks and riding off-center to stay out of the tracks worn on the streets. Oh yeah, and taking turns at full speed to essentially slingshot your way through a curve.
But, there are a lot of tame techniques that I use, mostly coasting, not using air-conditioning, keeping the windows rolled-up, going the speed limit or under, etc.
As for carrying food and water – it depends on where you live. If you are far out in the boonies and your car breaks down you are going to appreciate having emergency supplies a whole lot more than me. If my car ever breaks down, I’m within minutes of either a bus line or stores, etc. So, it’s really your own habits and comfort levels.
If you think you’ll be trapped somewhere for more than three days, then it’s probably worth it :)
Great tips. I just thought about the idling one a few weeks ago while sitting at a train crossing. There was a slight drawback to it though since it meant having to roll down the windows to stay cool and then sucking in everyone’s exhaust. I wanted to get out of the car and tell everyone to turn of their vehicles. ;) Since then I’ve been shutting off my car in other situations as well (the bank drive-thru for one).
GREAT REMINDERS!! (I gotta lay off the lead foot..sigh!)