With gas prices on a constant rollercoaster ride, it makes more and more sense to wring the most miles you can out of every gallon. And contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to ditch your current vehicle or buy sketchy “miracle products” to realize better fuel economy. At the risk of sounding like a motivational speaker, when it comes to saving on fuel, the power is in your hands. And get this: It’s a 12-step program (kind of). Specifically, it's 12 practical tips for what you can do at the pump and what you can do on the road to improve your smart mileage driving.
Before we begin, our sympathies to readers in New Jersey and Oregon, as these are the two states in which gas station employees -- not drivers -- must pump the gas. But at least our coastal friends can still use these tips when traveling outside their home states. Some of them may seem obvious, while others aren’t often considered. Follow them all and you should see big improvements in your gas mileage.
at the pump
Do your homework
Even before you turn the key, fire up your PC and visit the website FuelEconomy.gov to research gas prices in your area. It’s not uncommon to find variations of several cents per gallon at stations that are just blocks apart. This is especially true around major highways and newly developed, high-rent neighborhoods versus more modest areas.Just don’t road trip off the beaten path to save a few cents per gallon. Also, don’t take too long planning your course of action. When you allow your tank to remain near empty, condensation can form and wind up in your gas. It probably won’t cause any short-term damage, but it can dilute your gas and cause your engine to run less efficiently.
Forecast the highs and lows
Sometimes we’re blindsided by price spikes, but they don’t happen randomly as it might seem. You will usually pay less per gallon during the week and a little more during and around the weekend. As holidays approach -- especially during summer -- the numbers climb higher. Prior to Labor Day, Thursdays through Mondays can mean the highest prices; after Labor Day, Wednesdays and Thursdays can signal increases. Watch for station promotions throughout the year and jump on them when you can.Also, whenever you do hit the pump, consider the lost art of paying with cash. Since stations won't get hit with a credit card processing fee, they sometimes extend lower prices to cash customers. If you are conditioned to using plastic, look into gas company credit cards, prepaid gas cards or cash-back credit cards. If you can abide by the fine print and it works to your advantage, go for it and reap the benefits.
Timing is everything
If you want more bang for your buck, fill your tank in the morning or at night. Even if it means leaving home a few minutes early on your weekday commute, do it. Likewise, if you’re out in the evening and just want to get home, schedule a little extra time to fill up. Why bother with these odd-hour detours instead of during the day, when it’s more convenient? Gas expands with heat, that’s why. You actually get less gas when you fill your tank during the day, because of the expansion and additional fumes. It’s also common for price changes to occur around mid-morning.What’s in a name?
Living in our status-conscious society, it seems unusual that we don’t already have fuel boutiques. But on the other hand, we do see a lot of the opposite. You know the places: They are off-brand or don’t advertise any discernable brand, and their prices are consistently cheaper than those of the big boys. The long-standing caveat here is that the little guys sell gas without additives, so your engine will be left with crippling deposits and clogged fuel injectors over time. That may have been a plausible argument in the past, but not now. Today, the law requires all gasoline to contain detergents. Big-name companies may sprinkle in a fraction more than the off-brands, but the difference is negligible.Think twice about the upgrade
We know there are many among us who have fallen for the allure of higher octane. Hey, we've all had visions of our POS cars invigorated with sports-car acceleration. Live and learn, right? For that extra dime or two per gallon, we were only buying the illusion of better performance and mileage. We ignored the owner's manual recommendations for using regular unleaded. But now that you know better, go with the manufacturer’s advice.If your engine is properly tuned and regularly pings or knocks under acceleration with regular gas, then you can step up to the next grade. After a couple tanks of higher octane, the sound of premature ignition should be history. Whatever grade you choose, expect a slight mileage dip with gas containing ethanol.
It’s all in the wrist
Wouldn’t you know it -- there’s a hands-on technique to better fuel delivery. In fact, make that a few techniques (and we don’t mean the art of pumping an exact dollar amount). If anything, forget nudging the pump cent-by-cent and/or topping off. When the pump stops, most of the gas runs back down the hose. By comparison, you get less gas for your money from your little squeezes than you do during the fill-up.Don't worry, there is a way to get more of what you pay for: Do a 180. After the pump stops, turn the nozzle 180 degrees to let the remaining gas from the hose and handle pour into your tank. It may not amount to much, but you paid for it, so claim it. Also, be sure to tighten the gas cap to prevent the escape of gas fumes. Finally, before you drive off, check your receipt to verify that you were charged correctly. We’ve heard the stories about drivers being charged too little, but human error and karma work both ways.
on the road
Name that tune
Even with a tank of the correct gas that has been pumped properly, you’re wasting your time and money if your car isn’t tuned properly. Start with the tires: If you don’t already have one, pick up a digital tire gauge and check the pressure before you drive. Forget the number you see stamped on the sidewall; it’s there to advise the maximum pressure for the tire, not the optimal pressure for your vehicle.Again, always follow your car-manufacturer’s recommendations. Next, keep the engine clean and tuned. This includes the obvious stuff like oil, filter and spark plug changes at the proper intervals, but also some areas that are too often overlooked. These include the PCV valve, the automatic transmission fluid and filter, the oxygen sensor, coolant, and even your battery. Whenever possible, we like to do the maintenance ourselves (we consider it an endangered skill that must be preserved). Either way, make sure it gets done.
Be the man with the plan
Plan your course of attack. Know where you’re going and get as many stops out of the way as possible for each trip. When you combine errands into fewer trips around the city, you’re automatically improving your mileage since an engine runs more efficiently when warm. Watch for the wrong kind of heat, though. Whenever you can, park in the shade on hot days.Evaporative emissions mean you can actually lose gas from your tank without the engine running. Also, you’ll be less likely to run the air conditioning as hard when you’ve been parked out of direct sunlight. Finally, when you do run the engine, keep idling to a minimum unless the reality of 0 mpg appeals to you.
Mind your manners
Most guys understand the mileage penalty of aggressive driving in theory; it’s the execution that gets them every time. Tough as it may be, you’ll have to modify your driving before the other steps have much impact. So let the testosterone simmer, and coast when you can; don’t go straight from the gas to the brake. Even tougher than being Mr. Rogers behind the wheel is backing off your speed.It physically pains us to say this, but one of the keys to getting better mileage is moderating your velocity. Our own observations indicate there’s very little to be gained when you hammer it in the city, except maybe getting to the next red light sooner. On the highway, at reasonable speeds in the slower lanes, we noted left-lane aggressors often couldn’t maintain much of a lead without frequently getting caught in pockets of slower traffic. A few times, they even caught the attention of state troopers, which the rest of us certainly appreciated.
Push the right buttons
The onboard accessories you use actually play a part in your gas mileage. On fairly flat highways, using cruise control will improve matters. On hills and mountains, the vehicle will do all it can to hold the set speed, so you’re better off using your foot. Another control to employ is the air conditioning. More recent vehicles get comparable highway mileage -- whether the air is on or the windows are open. If you have four-wheel drive, we find it a little ironic that you’re reading this article. Seriously though, if your vehicle gives you the option, use 2-wheel drive mode for everyday driving.Why weight?
Too much junk in the trunk is something to watch for. The excess car weight you lug around is nothing but bad news. Think of your mobility after Thanksgiving dinner and you begin to realize the surplus heft in your car is no better. Okay, your car isn’t fighting to stay awake during the football game, but you get the idea. Even 50 or 100 pounds out of your trunk will have a positive impact.Image is not everything
Not only is the appearance of a two-story wing on the trunk of a Civic an aesthetic disappointment, it’s a mileage killer. Roof racks and luggage carriers also curtail your cruising range as they all create excess drag. At least the latter two are useful now and then, but when you aren’t schlepping the whole family across the state or transporting your bikes or kayak, employ the removable feature of those accessories to gain better aerodynamics and less weight on the road.going the distance
Regardless of gas prices, there’s a lot we can do to ease the monetary impact of the pump. Forget about miracle-promising, alleged gas-saving gadgets. The real way to save is by following a dozen easy steps at the pump and on the road.http://money.cnn.com/2006/04/12/pf/willis_tips/index.htm
http://www.ftc.gov/savegas
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconomy/articles/106842/article.html
http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-2482
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/10waysToFindCheapGas.aspx
http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2006/August/03.html
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