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Article Series:
Save Money On Gas
Map Your Route and Save On
Gasoline
Just a few years ago, you could fill the gas
tank of the average family sedan for about twenty dollars.
These days, you would be lucky to get away with about fifty
dollars! There has to be an easier way to save money on gasoline.
You could trade your car in for a hybrid vehicle but what if
you are stuck with the car or truck you have now? While hybrids
are the answer for the future, you need a solution for the
here and now. Luckily, there are quite a few things you can
do to conserve fuel and keep the costs down at the gas pumps.
First of all, get a plan! Decide
where you are going and map your route to maximize efficiency. Instead of running a whole
bunch of errands throughout your week, try and plan an errand
day, routing your trip. By getting all your driving done in
one day, the other days your car is at rest and therefore not
wasting gasoline. If planning an errand day is not an option
for you, map out a route to or from work, incorporating your
errands. The point is, why go out of your way when you don’t
have to?
Scheduling
your time is important as well. The longer you
are in your car, the more gas your car is consuming. This translates
into filling up your tank more often and spending money that
could be best used on something else. By planning ahead, you
can avoid rush hour traffic and sitting in a virtual parking
lot on the highway during your commute. Knowing the peak times
when traffic is at its worst also helps you in mapping out
your routes as well. Sometimes, you can take alternate courses
of action if you are thrown off your schedule, whether you
are running late, there’s road construction or an accident
is slowing down traffic. It’s all a matter of timing.
Hang
up your car keys and get some exercise. Many people drive
when they could be walking or biking, especially if the destination
is nearby. Instead of driving your child to school, hop on
bikes instead. Many parents who live within a few blocks of
school these days now will escort their child via bicycle on
good weather days. In addition, walking is another great way
to get where you are going. In either case, you are saving
money on gasoline and gaining some valuable one-on-one time
with your child. They will love those special moments with
you.
Utilizing
public transportation, car pooling and delivery services will save you money on fuel costs. If you work in
a large city area, look into routes that bus lines or the light
rail takes. In addition, many places have car pooling or van
pools that commute from the suburbs into the city. Not only
will you save wear and tear on your car, you will save money
on gas and have some extra time to yourself to enjoy a cup
of coffee or read the paper. You can also eliminate some of
the errands on your to-do list by enlisting a delivery service.
Some dry cleaning and laundry places now delivery right to
your door. Grocery stores and pharmacies sometimes will do
the same.
Proper
vehicle maintenance can keep a few bucks in your pocket
instead of your gas tank. Check all fluids regularly from the
oil to the radiator. Check for leaks. Basically, it is a matter
of moving your car and inspecting the ground underneath. If
there are any discolorations, you may have a fluid leak of
some kind. Your brakes, steering, radiator and engine all have
fluids to keep your vehicle well lubed. When there is a leak,
your car has to work harder to maintain its performance, which
translates into increased fuel consumption.
Tire
performance can also play a part in your bottom line.
Check the air pressure in your tires weekly to ensure proper
pressure. In addition, every time you get your oil changed,
be sure to have your tires rotated as well. Sometimes, it is
a free service thrown in and other times you might have to
pay a nominal fee. By rotating your tires, you are ensuring
an even wear on them, which translates into better gas performance.
There are a number of other things you can do to stretch that
tank of gas and save a little money. All it takes is a little
ingenuity and the tenacity to stick to a plan.
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