Top Ten Tips - Reducing Your Gas Usage
By Tip Diva | Apr 27, 2008
Categories: Adult, Auto, Automobile, Budget, Car, Difficulty, Green, Internet, Money, Neighborhood, Office, Savings, Stores, Tips, Websites, Work
With gasoline prices creeping closer to $4 per gallon, it may be time to think about pinching the penny when it comes to fuel usage. Here are some ways to save:
- Tune-Up Your Car - Fixing and tweaking your car, from the tires to the air filter, can have a drastic effect on how much gas you use. Daily Fuel Economy Tips has a great post on how you can make your car more fuel efficient.
- Know Your Octane Needs - Many cars run more efficiently on lower-octane gas, which is cheaper than the premium gasses. Check your owner’s manual to see what’s best for your car.
- Make More Effective Trips - Instead of going to a store across town, coming home to drop off your bags, then going back across town to pick up your child from soccer practice, go to the store and pick up your child in the same trip. Make a list of places you have to go and figure out the most efficient way to run your errands in less trips or less mileage.
- Downsize Your Car - If you have a gas-guzzler, consider downsizing to a smaller, more fuel-efficient car. If you can afford it, buy a hybrid.
- Carpool - If you have someone going in the same direction or to the same destination, carpool. You’ll be taking additional cars off the road, and you’ll even get to use the HOV lane. Also carpool for children’s activities and schooling.
- Negotiate Work Time - If you drive to work, ask your boss if you could work more hours during the week and get an additional day off. Or see if you can telecommute some days.
- Get More Exercise - Try walking or biking to your destination, if it’s close enough.
- Take Public Transportation - Learn how to use your local bus or rail system.
- Buy Things And Run Errands Online - Instead of driving 30 minutes to the nearest Target, buy what you need online and get it shipped to you. Many stores offer free or low-cost shipping. And you try banking or paying your bills online as well. Going online also saves the hassle of being on line!
- Stay Local - Go out to dinner, movies and other social events closer to home. Even travel closer to home, enjoying local arts, parks and more. For more tips, see Top Ten Tips - Having Fun Locally.
Other Tips To Check Out:
Keep an eye on what you use…
GasDandy is an easy-to-use tool that tracks a vehicle’s mileage and maintenance information, providing data that can be used for both business and personal purposes. By making these figures readily available, the program also gives the consumer the opportunity to save money and to proactively identify problems that can shorten the life of their vehicle(s). Download a free trial version of GasDandy today at http://www.gasdandy.com
Thanks, Dandy - will check it out!