SolveYourProblem eLearning Series:
Gas Prices Are Outrageous,
Save Me Some Money!
( 13 pages )

16. Avoid running your gas tank too close to empty

Try not to drive your car when the gas gauge is on empty.

You may think that you using very little gas when your car is on empty, but you are in fact using more gas because your vehicle is running less efficiently as it tries to accelerate and decelerate in a normal fashion.

Keep your gas level above the quarter tank mark if at all possible.

17. Benefits of gasohol

What is gasohol?

When gas is combined with alcohol (typcially ethanol), this mix is called gasohol. For those technically oriented, this mixture contains 90% gas and 10% alcohol.

Ethanol is a high-octane, water-free alcohol, which is produced from the fermented renewable resources like sugarcane, corn, straw, wood or other biomaterials. Ethanol-blended fuels, like gasohol, burn more efficiently in combustion engines and have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 70 to 90 per cent, compared to gasoline.

Ethanol-blended fuels now account for about 12% of all automotive fuels sold in the U.S.A.. In addition to its use as a fuel extender, ethanol/gasoline blends have become a part of environmental programs as well.

18. Avoid buying gas from a just replenished gas station

When a gas station has its underground tanks filled, the particles at the bottom of the tank are stirred up.

These particles can become mixed in with the gas that you are putting into your car, which can lead to efficiency problems. The particles can clog your fuel filter, causing your car to stall and start with some difficulty. If the gas station that you have decided to stop at has the lowest gas price in your area you may want to think about taking the time to come back at a later time rather than stopping at the next gas station that is offering a higher price for gas.

19. Keep your car well tuned

One of the best things that you can do is to keep your vehicle as well tuned as you possibly can.

This means taking note of those regularly scheduled maintenance checkups that you so often ignore.

Studies indicate that a car with an engine that is poorly tuned will increase the amount of fuel consumption from 10 to 20 percent. Information found at www.fueleconomy.gov/ shows that when you tune up a car that is due for a checkup or one that has emissions problems, you can increase the gas mileage by up to 4.1 percent.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml

Pay attention to the signals that your car is giving you. When the red message light on your dashboard lights up letting you know that it’s time to “check your gauges” make sure that you have your car looked at as soon as you can.

If you are uncertain when the last time was that you had your car serviced you may be able to contact the mechanic that last did the work for you.

If they keep accurate records your mechanic will be able to give you a date for your last maintenance visit and help you schedule a new one at the same time.

20. Change the oil in your car

Change the oil in your car on a regular basis. When you keep the oil in your car clean you reduce the wear that is caused by friction in the moving parts of your car’s engine.

Keeping track of your last oil change will save you money at the gas pump and increase your fuel consumption.

If you are reluctant or unable to change the oil in your car on your own make sure that you fuel up at a gas station that offers you full service.

This way you can ask the gas attendant to help you fill your car with gas as well as take a look under the hood of your car to change the oil.

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