Practical Money Saving Advice from C&S Auto
Fuel is expensive. Fortunately, there are plenty of different ways to save money on your fuel (fuel economy) so that simply getting around doesn’t break the bank. Follow these simple steps and you will have more money in your pocket.
- Avoid rush hour traffic: It’s difficult to imagine a bigger waste of time (and fuel) than sitting idle in traffic. Not to mention all of the stopping and starting involved, which requires more fuel than traveling at a consistent speed. The obvious solution is to avoid rush hour traffic as much as possible. If you do find yourself in rush hour traffic, try to get a feel for how the traffic is moving, and attempt to travel at a steady, low speed, so that you avoid the constant slowing down and acceleration involved with typical rush hour traffic. If consistently avoiding rush hour traffic is simply not an option for you, consider investing in a hybrid car, or some other vehicle which requires less fuel.
- Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in your car: Your vehicle requires more fuel to move more weight. It only makes sense that limiting the amount of weight in your car will free it up to move longer distances using less fuel. Be proactive by removing anything in your car that you are not using. Don’t use your trunk, bed, or the back seat of your vehicle as a storage space. Get rid of golf clubs, tools, trolleys, etc.
- Soft acceleration: When your car’s speed cranks up quickly, it requires a large amount of fuel. The sudden burst of energy is rarely worth the fuel that it takes. Every time you accelerate, remember to do so smoothly. Avoid road rage incidents in which you aggressively speed around the person in front of you, only to end up in the same place at a red light 30 seconds later.
- Turn off the air conditioning: We know it sucks, but your air conditioner uses up quite a bit of fuel. When you can, simply leave the windows down and take advantage of that free breeze.
- Monitor your tire pressure: If you are driving around with low tire pressure, your vehicle is going to require more fuel to keep it moving. Simply take five minutes every two weeks to check your tires. Usually, you can verify exactly what your tire pressure should be from the figures located near the lock in the driver’s side door.
- Avoid driving whenever possible: Simply put, if you absolutely don’t have to drive, don’t. Limit driving only to errands which are absolutely necessary, to and from work, picking up the kids, etc. When you do drive, take advantage of the above strategies.
Modern life requires the use of your vehicle, but there are ways in which you can maximize your use of fuel, and avoid using fuel altogether when you need to save money. That extra money in your bank account will be your reward for the discipline you exercise.