Gas Saving Tips and Easy Ways To Improve Gas Mileage, Gas Savers

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How To Improve Your Gas Mileage and Save Money At The Gas Pump

Although we can't do much to bring the price of gas down, and not all of us can afford to run out and purchase a new gas saving vehicle but we can make sure that we get better gas mileage by applying a few easy tips.


Throughout this page you'll find many gas saving tips and proven ways to get more mileage for your tank of gas, in addition to a few suggestions and alternatives to your current driving habits.

There are also have a few polls and debates scattered about this page with topics such as saving gas and the environment and it would be great if you could voice your opinions and let us know how you feel about the entire subject.

Photo under Creative Commons 2.0

Gas Saving Tip - Avoid Left Hand Turns

When you plan your driving route try to avoid making left hand turns. By making more right hand turns you will avoid having to wait at traffic lights, which will waste gas.

Most people if they plan ahead can usually avoid most if not all left hand turns.

Hypermiling and Hypermilers Videos

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What are your thoughts about hypermiling?

Do you think that hypermiling is a good idea or bad? - and why

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I think that hypermiling can be good because...

Hypermiling is a bad idea because...

 

Improve Gas Mileage

improving gas mileage,how to improve gas mileageQuick acceleration and jack rabbit starts will burn more gas than necessary. When you accelerate try to imagine that you have an egg under your gas pedal. Gentle acceleration can save more gas than you may think.

Highway Driving

When your on the highway try to keep all windows closed. Open windows create drag therefore using more gas. Although using an air conditioner in stop and go traffic can really burn up the gas, on highway driving it will actually save you gas (up to 8%).

Don't Rest Your Foot on the Gas Pedal

It may seem like nothing at all, but by resting your food on the gas pedal at lights and when stopped will use a small amount of extra gas. Although, it may not seem like much it does add up over time.

Are High Gas Prices Just a Rip Off?

Do you think that gas and oil prices really reflect a higher cost to pump the oil & due to real circumstances around the world the price for gas at the pump is accurate?

Do you think that the cost of oil & gas is manipulated for various different & possibly greedy reasons?

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Gas prices are just a sham. We are betting ripped off and I think that...

trelayne says:

Duh! does a bear crap in the woods? US oil companies make more $ when the price of oil is high, because they keep the same profit margins as when prices are lower, and end up with more $ in their pockets...they could actually choose to lower their profit margins to avoid screwing the populace, causing recessions, etc. but don't.

To reward them for this evil behaviour, we allow them NOT to pay taxes and give them 11 billion in subsidies, just for screwing us. As lonk as we continue to reward them for bad acts, they will continue to screw us.

You've just got to accept the higher prices because...

 

Really Want to Save On Gas - Get A Vespa, Moped or Electic Bike

Visit the Vespa, Moped and Electric Bike lens for more information on these alternate ways to travel and save on gas. (the Vespa gets an average of 70 miles to the gallon and electric bikes use 0 gas).

Stop and Go Traffic Gas Savers

how to save on  gasTraffic lights are timed to match the road's speed limit. If you drive faster (or slower) than the speed limit you will find yourself stopping for more lights.

How Are Your Tires? Are They Correctly Inflated?

proper tire pressure, tire pressure to save gasAre your tires properly inflated?
Having tires that are under or over inflated will waste gas.
And while you're at it, remove your snow tires once the winter season has passed.
Snow tires can often use 6% more gas than standard all weather tires.
Save the snow tires for when you really need them.

Electric Bicycles Will Help You Save on Gas & Save Money

When you want to save on gas but don't want to get sweaty getting to work, then an electric bike is a good option.
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Are You Carrying Around Excess Weight In Your Car?

Clean out your car and get rid of all the junk that you have been carrying around an don't need. For every 100 extra ponds in your car you will burn 2% more gas.

And while your at it, this is the perfect reason to drop a few excess pounds that you may be carrying around. By walking whenever possible and eating less junk food you'll save money on gas and on your grocery bill (and we all know how expensive groceries are right now.

Avoid Excess Idling

save gas at drive up windowsWhen your stopped more than 2 minutes (such as at the bank drive up or at a fast food restaurant) turn off the car.
You may think that starting shutting off your car than starting it again will use more gas, but if you learn to gently start your car instead of flooring it you will save gas.
With most cars you do not even need to touch the gas pedal when you start the car.
Now if your stop will be less than 2 minutes, it's best to let the car idle.
At one time they thought that you should shut off your car when stopped for 1 minute, however it has been found that once you include the wear and tear on your starter and other engine parts, the suggested time is now 2 minutes.

ScanGauge II 3-in-1 Compact Multifunction Vehicle Computer with Customizable Display

ScanGauge II Ultra Compact 3-in-1 Automotive Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges

Wouldn't you like to see exactly when your car uses the most fuel and how you driving habits can either save gas or waste gas?

Not sure if it's worth turning the engine off when your car idles more than 1 minutes, like the experts proclaim?

Will coasting to a stop save you a little or a lot of gas?

Want to see how much more gas you use when you drive over 55?

The ScanGaugeII works on all 1996 or newer OBDII cars, including gas, diesel, propane and hybrid vehicles, as well as vehicles with the latest CAN systems.

A detachable cable allows for easy transfer between multiple vehicles. Its menu-driven operation means there's no need to memorize complex sequences, and no tools are required for installation.

Add to the original 12 gauges by customizing the ScanGaugeII to monitor up to 25 more--depending on your specific vehicle's sensor design.

Four gauges can be displayed simultaneously and can help determine fuel consumption rates, allowing you to adjust driving behavior and save gas.

At the same time, keep an eye on coolant temperature, engine speed, and much more in real time.

If there is a young driver in the house or friends borrow your car, the ScanGaugeII can record speeds of up to 158 mph and store the information for you to view later, so you will know just how fast your young driver or friend was going last night.
If the unit was disconnected, you'll know.

No tools are required for installation and the display is small enough to fit anywhere on your dash, but easy enough for quick viewing (remember, you want to keep your eyes on the road and not on the gauges) and with a large easy to view display - it's easy.

Drive At The Speed Limit

Most cars start to really lose their fuel economy once they start going over 55 mph. Try to stay as near to 55 or 60 as possible (depending on the road's speed limit). You may think that since you arrive a few minutes quicker at your destination is you drive 70 or 80, your using more gas per mile at these high speeds.

Keep Your Car Properly Tuned

save on gas by tuning your cars engineA car that needs a tune up wastes more than 4% (some up to 8%).
A tune up for your car tune you $150 depending your model but it will help your car last longer and also save on the amount of gas that you use.

What Octane Does Your Car Need?

Do you know what octane your car really needs or are you just assuming?
Using the right octane for your car may save you several cents per gallon when you fill up.
Unless you know your car runs better at the highest octane or your car manufacturer suggests it, try the next lower grade of octane instead.
If you are not sure check with your car's handbook or contact a mechanic that you know and trust or the dealership where you purchased your car.

Beat High Gas Prices Now

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Folding Bikes

Folding bicycles, save you money on gas, help you blast calories and help keep you in shape, plus they fold up so you can take them anywhere --even to the office.
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Is Riding a Bike to Work or School a Viable Option For You?

If you live close enough to where you work, go to school or shop are you willing to give up your car and ride a bike?

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No way, no how! I would not ride a bike because...

ernieplotter says:

People drive like crazy around here... It will be dangerous, although laws are being enforced to protect them and the city government is painting bike lines and giving them for free to change this situation. In time it will be viable.

I have thought about it / I currently do ride a bike and I think more should. I like it because...

 

Parking Spaces

how to park your car to save gasWhen you park at your favorite store try to pull into a parking spot that will allow you to pull out without having to reverse your car.
This will save on gas and also wear and tear on your car.

Avoid Warming Up Your Car

Older cars did need to warm up before driving but cars built after the late 70's no longer need to warm up in cold weather. Sure it will take a while for the heat to come on, but if you dress properly for winter you won't need this warm up time.
Remember, you get 0 mph sitting in the driveway.

Lawn Mowers That Don't Use Gas - Push Lawn Mowers

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Anticipate The Traffic Pattern

If you are in tune with the traffic you can anticipate when lights will change or cars slowing down for traffic jams. Anticipate this and coast whenever possible.

Saving Money vs The Environment

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Electric Lawn Mowers

Ok, so maybe you don't want to huff and puff to mow your lawn.
Am electric lawn mower is a good gas alternative plus they are much quieter than a gas mover.
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Are You Willing To Take Steps To Save Gas?

Saving gas can take a bit of work. Some times it means walking or riding a bike to the store or to work.
Other times it may mean giving up your long enjoyable Sunday drives or only driving when necessary and consolidating your trips.

So we want to know if you are willing to sacrifice a bit in order to conserve gas

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I am already trying to use less gas by ....

ernieplotter says:

all of the tips are viable... it is just a matter of commitment to the cause with a strong desire to be different and make it happen!

I am not, and this is the reason why...

 

Do You Use Your Car's Roof For Storage?

If you have a roof storage bin but rarely use it, remove it and only use it when actually necessary.
Using a roof rack can reduce your car's fuel efficiency by 5%.

Use Your Car's Cruise Control

Using your car's cruise control whenever practical can save about 14% on gas.

Oil Changes Can Save You Money

Sure it takes a few extra bucks to change the oil in your car at the recommended mileage, but you'll save both on gas and wear and tear on your car's engine if you have the oil changed regularly.

Avoid Road Construction

This seems like a simple since none of us like to go through construction areas.
Most cities and states now have sites online that tell you when and where construction will take place.
Although you may know the construction zones in your local area be sure to check before taking a car trip to another state.
You'll save, time, gas and frustration.

Drill Bay Drill?

Should countries like the US do more offshore drilling, create more oil pipelines & build more nuclear plants to become more energy sufficient - Knowing that it could damge the environment?

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Yes - but...

No - but...

 

Fill Up In The Morning

It's best to fill up your car early in the morning on warm days. Gas is served by volume. By filling up in the cooler part of the day you'll get more gas by volume.

Some say that this does work and others state that it really doesn't save you anything. I do it anyway, and believe that it does work.

Try it! If anything, it will keep you out of the sun when you fill up (have to watch out for skin cancer)

Find The Cheapest Local Gas

At Gas Buddy you can compare the gas prices for your town or city.
You can also try Gas Price Watch
You should be able to find all your local gas stations in at least one of the above web sites.

Your Honest Opinion About Gas Saving Measures

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Do You Have Any Gas Saving Tips That You'd Like To Share With Our Readers?

  • ernieplotter Dec 9, 2011 @ 3:12 pm | delete
    Share your car! I try to offer rides to the people who live near my home. Also, when we were at college teachers strongly advice to us to share our cars and use them as less as we could. The parking lot at school had room for 4,000 cars! And every day at peak hours they used to get full!
  • johnsmith01 Jul 20, 2008 @ 3:30 am | delete
    If you know how long red lights take in your area then you might want to turn your engine off if you are on a particularly long red light. Same with railway crossings.

    John
    home biodiesel information
  • Vincentfp Jul 17, 2008 @ 12:20 am | delete
    Man it's really getting ridiculous the price of gas these days. It really has never been more important to utilize tips like the ones you've mentioned to save gas. Thanks for the great information, definitely helping out alot of people. :)

by

blujeanmomma

Gas prices are rising faster than our income. It's time to start thinking about ways to save on gas and get more mileage per gallon of gas.

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