Gas Saving Tips

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I've been searching for gas saving tips to help me minimize the impact of rising gas prices on my finances.

Here are some of my favorite tips to help you keep your budget in balance!

My favorite gas saving tips:

1. Don't go anywhere unless it's absolutely necessary! I find this is one of my all time favorite gas saving tips. It saves me lots of money in other areas of my budget also. When I'm at home, I avoid the consumer traps and can't be tempted to spend money.

2. I must stress (even though this seems to be one of the most repeated gas saving tips) that you shop around. Where we live the gas prices are between 10 and 15 cents higher than where my husband works. And, even withing the city where he works there are 5-10 savings between gas stations. Sometimes, less than a block from each other! He tries to fill up on the way to or from work.

3. Keep you car maintained to increase gas mileage. I like this gas saving tip because it also saves money away from the gas pump. Maintaining you car will increase the life of your car.

4. Finally, as gas saving tips go, this one that will definitely save lots money. Don't get in the habit of using gas credit cards if you cannot pay the entire balance each month! Gas credit cards usually carry an even higher interest rate than major credit cards.

Try to re-evaluate your budget instead. Use some more money saving tips to reduce expenses in other areas and make up the increase in the gas expenses.

Here are some gas saving tips articles with more information on how to save money at the pump.

Monitor Your Tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Let the tires cool down before checking the air pressure. Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear, should be aligned by a professional.

Consolidate Your Daily Trips and Errands. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.

Avoid Excessive Engine Idling. Shut off your vehicle while waiting for friends and family.

Drive Gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually. Use cruise control. (You�ll help your brakes and suspension system last longer, too).

Remove Excess Weight. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less weight means better mileage. After family vacations, make sure you remove all unnecessary items, including that rooftop cargo carrier.

Use Windows and Air Conditioning Wisely. Your mileage should improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds, since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the air conditioning on -- assuming that the system is in good working order. If possible, try to avoid using your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups.

Keep Your Engine Operating at its Peak Efficiency. A misfiring spark plug can greatly reduce gas mileage; conversely, a well-maintained engine will help you maximize the gas mileage for your specific make and model.

Follow the service schedules listed in your owner�s manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended; and have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today�s high-tech engines, it�s wise to have this type of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified in engine performance.

These gas saving conservation tips will not only save you money, they�ll help extend the life of your vehicle.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians.

ASE-certified technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of certification. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign.

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I'm the owner of an auction website and work full time in a bluecollar job, so what makes me an expert in gas saving tips? For the past 12 years I've been driving an average of 30,000 miles ayear. That's a lot of money spent on gas and whatever amount can be saved definitely adds up over time.

The biggest way to save on gas is to consider a change in your daily driver. I recently traded in my V6 Honda Accord for a 4 cylinder Civic. This one change alone saves me approxiately $55 a month in gas and at the same time lowered my monthly car payment $64. Combined that is a savings of $119 a month. I also have the advantage of starting with a brand new car again and nomaintance fees for another 2 years.

When traveling along your daily route observe the price per gallon at the different stations. Many people don't shop aroundand you would be surprised how much the prices flucuate from one station to another. My daily commute takes me through two different states, one state being much lower in price due to lower taxes on gasoline. Plan your fuel fillups so you can fillup everytime at the lowest prices.

Two words, car pool. This will be a huge savings. Check around at work and see who lives in your area. If there isn't anyone you can post messages in the local supermarkets, churches, etc and seek out others who commute to the same area that you do. In addition to the huge savings in reduced fuel usage you will save a ton of miles on your car. Another plus would be if you travel through tolls. Not only will you pay half the time, but when you do pay, you will pay at a reduced toll rate because of your car pool.

Your driving habits make a difference in your mpg's. Try toleave 5 minutes earlier and stay as close to the speed limit as possible. Slowing down will add miles to your tank and make your journey a safer one. On long, level steady roads turn on your cruise control. This "luxury" contraption will keep your car engine at a steady pace, taking away the flucuations in speed, improving your gas mileage.

I know these gas saving tips, if followed, will increase your mileage and lower your fuel costs. They do for me no matter what the gas price is. Drive safe and always wear your seatbelt!

About the Author: Joseph Garrio works in law enforcement and owns his own auction website where you can buy or sell items from your home. Visit it at http://www.123ez.net/jg4