Gasoline is now expensive. Remember that some things can help. For example, keep a constant speed when driving, and don't make sudden speed changes because that could increase the amount of gas you would need.
With some strategic changes in driving habits and vehicle maintenance, you can stretch your gas mileage and reduce the impact of rising gas costs. You don't necessarily need to buy an electric car to save on gas.
Some effective strategies to help you save gas while driving could be:
Maintain a Consistent Speed
This advice aligns with recommendations to avoid rapid acceleration and high-speed driving, as they make your engine work harder and consume more gasoline.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas mileage typically decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 miles per hour, costing you an estimated $0.23 extra per gallon for every 5 mph drive over 50 mph.
Easing up on the gas and brakes and avoiding sudden speed changes can improve fuel efficiency and save money at the pump.
Combine Trips and Reduce Excess Weight
Another effective gas-saving strategy is combining trips and reducing excess weight in your vehicle.
Several short trips from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer, multipurpose trip covering the same distance. Waiting until your shopping list attains critical mass—five items or more—before making a trip can help optimize fuel efficiency.
Additionally, removing excess weight from your car, such as unused cargo or roof racks, can improve miles per gallon.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, every 100 pounds of extra weight in your vehicle lowers fuel economy by about 2%.
Combining trips and reducing excess weight can maximize fuel efficiency and minimize gas expenses.
Avoid Excessive Idling and Optimize Vehicle Maintenance
Excessive idling and poor vehicle maintenance can also increase fuel consumption.
Avoiding excessive idling by turning off your engine when parked for more than 10 seconds can save fuel and reduce emissions. Idling can cost you up to half a gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use.
Additionally, properly tuning your vehicle and ensuring that tires are inflated can improve gas mileage.
Proper maintenance can improve gas mileage by an average of 4%, while fixing serious maintenance problems can increase mileage by as much as 40%. Following these maintenance tips and avoiding excessive idling can optimize fuel efficiency and save money on gas.
If you have been involved in an incident while driving in Florida and New York, contact The Ward Law Group, and let’s schedule a free consultation!
Jany Martinez Ward
Partner
Jany Martínez-Ward is a Founding and Managing Partner of The Ward Law Group, PL, a Florida law firm representing victims of car accidents. She focuses her practice on providing legal representation to Hispanic clients that have become injured in a car accident as a result of the negligence of others. In 2018, The National Trial Lawyers Association recognized Jany as one of the top attorneys in the state and among the top 40 under 40 attorneys.
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