Fuel prices being what they are, everyone is talking about learning as many gas saving tips as possible. The easiest way to cut gas costs is by cutting gas consumption. Other obvious means of gas savings are avoiding traffic, slowing down and other maxims of sensible driving will pay off in real savings. But just how much?
The figures will vary from vehicle to vehicle, but assuming a mid size vehicle is driven 12,500 miles a year and paying $4.25 for gas, here’s what you could save:
- Drive sensibly. Around town, sensible driving can save up to 30 gallons of gasoline per year, equal to up to $130.
- Avoiding rapid acceleration, rapid braking and speeding can lower gas mileage by up to 33% at highway speeds. If you’re a very aggressive driver, losing your “lead foot” can save you up to $340 a year.
- Properly inflated tires at the recommended psi could save up to 20 gallons of gasoline per year for an annual savings of $85. An annual savings of $40 can be realized by using the recommended grade motor oil.
- Here is a no Brainer. If you have two vehicles drive the one that gets the best fuel mileage. Switching 10% of your trips from driving a vehicle that gets 20 mpg to one that gets 30 mpg will put more than 85 bucks a year in your pocket.
- Discover a savings of up to $100 can be had by a simple 5% reduction of running errands.
- The average commuter can save $320 a year by carpooling twice a week with two other people in a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon – if the cost of gas is shared. ----------