Top 10 Ways to Save at the Pump
By Gregory Karp
Allentown Morning Call personal finance writer
May 9, 2004
With gasoline prices likely to be hovering around $2 a gallon this summer, it's a good idea to get the most out of the money you spend at the pump.
A two-car family is likely to spend up to $177 more on gas this year because of higher prices, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.
Gas is a significant expense for many families. An average four-person family spent about $1,800 annually on gasoline in recent years, according to government statistics. And motor fuel spending could be significantly higher for others. Two vehicles getting 20 miles per gallon and traveling 15,000 miles each would cost $3,000 in gasoline, assuming a price of $2 a gallon.
So if you can cut fuel consumption 20 percent, you could save hundreds of dollars this year.
Advertisements for gasoline additives that supposedly deliver better mileage are exaggerations or outright lies, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which has tested more than 100 of them. Some additives might even harm your vehicle, so don't bother.
Instead, use the following strategies to increase gas mileage and save at the pump. Savings figures below are based on Department of Energy estimates and adjusted for a gas price of $2 per gallon.
Gregory Karp is a personal finance writer for The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa., a Tribune Co. newspaper.
1. Pedal off the metal
Rapid acceleration is the enemy of fuel efficiency. Anticipate traffic conditions and don't tailgate to avoid jack-rabbit braking and acceleration. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent driving around town.
Keep the speed down. Each 5 miles per hour above 60 is like paying an additional 10 cents per gallon.
Savings: 23 cents to $1.10 per gallon.
2. Tune it up
A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption 4 percent, and fixing a faulty oxygen sensor could improve mileage 40 percent.
Savings: 8 to 80 cents per gallon.
Replace air and oil filters. Clogged air filters alone can increase fuel consumption 10 percent.
Savings: up to 20 cents per gallon.
3. Pump it up
Keep your tires properly inflated. It sounds like one of those tasks only meticulous people care about, but underinflated tires cause fuel consumption to increase more than 3 percent. You can find the proper inflation level on the driver's side door jamb or in the owner's manual.
Savings: up to 7 cents per gallon.
4. Use the right oil
Use the recommended grade of motor oil, preferably one with "energy conserving" on the label. Gas mileage could improve 1 percent to 2 percent.
Savings: 2 to 4 cents per gallon.
5. Remove trunk junk
Many people use their car trunk as an extra household closet. Eliminate that weight and see your mileage rise 2 percent for each 100 pounds taken out of the trunk. And avoid carrying large items on the roof of the vehicle, which can cut mileage 5 percent.
Savings: 14 cents per gallon by eliminating both a roof item and 100 pounds from the trunk.
6. Don't overbuy
Unless your owner's manual says you must use a higher grade, buy regular gasoline. Costlier high-octane gas does not improve the performance of your vehicle.
7. Cruise along
Using your vehicle's overdrive gears and cruise control improves fuel economy.
8. American idle
Turn off the engine if you'll be sitting awhile. Idling gets zero miles per gallon.
9. Combine trips
Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
10. Think small
If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better mileage. Does it make sense to drive to the video store in a 5,000-pound sport-utility vehicle?
More radical changes in your driving habits include staggering your work hours to avoid rush-hour traffic, using carpools and ride sharing programs, taking public transportation, walking to your destination when you can and working from home, if possible.
Copyright © 2004, The Morning Call
Allentown Morning Call personal finance writer
May 9, 2004
With gasoline prices likely to be hovering around $2 a gallon this summer, it's a good idea to get the most out of the money you spend at the pump.
A two-car family is likely to spend up to $177 more on gas this year because of higher prices, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.
Gas is a significant expense for many families. An average four-person family spent about $1,800 annually on gasoline in recent years, according to government statistics. And motor fuel spending could be significantly higher for others. Two vehicles getting 20 miles per gallon and traveling 15,000 miles each would cost $3,000 in gasoline, assuming a price of $2 a gallon.
So if you can cut fuel consumption 20 percent, you could save hundreds of dollars this year.
Advertisements for gasoline additives that supposedly deliver better mileage are exaggerations or outright lies, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which has tested more than 100 of them. Some additives might even harm your vehicle, so don't bother.
Instead, use the following strategies to increase gas mileage and save at the pump. Savings figures below are based on Department of Energy estimates and adjusted for a gas price of $2 per gallon.
Gregory Karp is a personal finance writer for The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa., a Tribune Co. newspaper.
1. Pedal off the metal
Rapid acceleration is the enemy of fuel efficiency. Anticipate traffic conditions and don't tailgate to avoid jack-rabbit braking and acceleration. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent driving around town.
Keep the speed down. Each 5 miles per hour above 60 is like paying an additional 10 cents per gallon.
Savings: 23 cents to $1.10 per gallon.
2. Tune it up
A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption 4 percent, and fixing a faulty oxygen sensor could improve mileage 40 percent.
Savings: 8 to 80 cents per gallon.
Replace air and oil filters. Clogged air filters alone can increase fuel consumption 10 percent.
Savings: up to 20 cents per gallon.
3. Pump it up
Keep your tires properly inflated. It sounds like one of those tasks only meticulous people care about, but underinflated tires cause fuel consumption to increase more than 3 percent. You can find the proper inflation level on the driver's side door jamb or in the owner's manual.
Savings: up to 7 cents per gallon.
4. Use the right oil
Use the recommended grade of motor oil, preferably one with "energy conserving" on the label. Gas mileage could improve 1 percent to 2 percent.
Savings: 2 to 4 cents per gallon.
5. Remove trunk junk
Many people use their car trunk as an extra household closet. Eliminate that weight and see your mileage rise 2 percent for each 100 pounds taken out of the trunk. And avoid carrying large items on the roof of the vehicle, which can cut mileage 5 percent.
Savings: 14 cents per gallon by eliminating both a roof item and 100 pounds from the trunk.
6. Don't overbuy
Unless your owner's manual says you must use a higher grade, buy regular gasoline. Costlier high-octane gas does not improve the performance of your vehicle.
7. Cruise along
Using your vehicle's overdrive gears and cruise control improves fuel economy.
8. American idle
Turn off the engine if you'll be sitting awhile. Idling gets zero miles per gallon.
9. Combine trips
Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
10. Think small
If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets better mileage. Does it make sense to drive to the video store in a 5,000-pound sport-utility vehicle?
More radical changes in your driving habits include staggering your work hours to avoid rush-hour traffic, using carpools and ride sharing programs, taking public transportation, walking to your destination when you can and working from home, if possible.
Copyright © 2004, The Morning Call