Monday, July 21, 2008

The Real Ways to Save Money on Gas

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Derek_Hudson]Derek Hudson

With the price of fuel ever increasing, we're beginning to see a surge of products on the marketplace that claim to increase your mileage overnight or cars that are suddenly "fuel-efficient."

The EPA reported over one hundred devices that were falsely claiming to increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency, and many of those products were even found to have a negative effect on your vehicle. So, before you lay out big money for products or vehicles that may not be as good as they claim, keep reading for these 6 great tips on how to really save money on fuel.

1. Slow Down or Speed Up

Your car gets the best mileage coasting down the highway at about 55 miles per hour. Speeds faster than 60 miles per hour tend to dramatically increase fuel consumption while slower start-and-go city traffic can also wreak havoc on your mileage.

2. Track Your Mileage

Keep a written journal of your mileage every time you fill up your tank. Write down the mileage on the odometer, the amount of gas purchased, the price and your rate per mile on that particular tank.

Research has shown that drivers who track their gas mileage tend to use less fuel and be more aware of their driving habits and fuel consumption.

3. Lighten Your Load

Stop driving around with a trunk full of golf clubs, hockey equipment and a box of books you were planning to donate last year. All that extra weight can really drag down your fuel efficiency. For example, one hundred pounds of extra weight can decrease your fuel efficiency by two percent.

4. Stop Idling

It's a misconception that it takes more gas to start up your car. If you're idling for more than 30 seconds, it's actually more efficient to shut off the car completely. So, stop idling and turn off the engine if you wait time is anything beyond just a few seconds.

5. Maintain Your Vehicle

A well-maintained vehicle is a fuel-efficient vehicle. Keep your filters clean, your exhaust maintained and your engine running at it's best to avoid over-consuming fuel and oil.

6. Buy a More Fuel Efficient Vehicle

Lots of vehicles claim to be fuel efficient, but you can actually do a side-by-side comparison on the U.S. government website [http://fueleconomy.gov]http://fueleconomy.gov. The site lets you search for cars based on year, make and model, and they perform comparisons that help you track down the most fuel efficient car in your desired class and budget.

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