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Saving Strategy: Maximize your Gas Mileage!
As we all know, gas for your vehicle isn’t cheap! Between the 2 vehicles that my wife and I own, we spend about $300/month on gas! As expensive as it is, there are ways to maximize the gas mileage of your vehicle. Here are some tips, listed in no particular order, that I have implemented over the years.
- Check your tire pressure and make sure it’s filled up to it’s recommended air pressure. Tires with reduced air pressure increases the friction, thus increasing gas mileage.
- Accelerate SLOWLY and maintain your speed. This is probably the most significant way to save gas. Think about it, Work(force)= Mass * Acceleration. If you decrease your acceleration, you’ll decrease the “work/force” that your car has to output.
- With that same formula, you should reduce the mass of your car. If you have some stuff in your trunk that’s weighing your car down, get rid of it! No, keep the spare tire. :)
- Reduce your braking. Braking is highly inefficient and should be minimized. Yes, you should use your brakes to stop when you NEED to, but how about coasting into those red lights instead of braking hard before the line? Also, keeping a good distance between you and the car in front of you should help avoid sudden stops.
- Drive slower. Combustion engines have higher efficiencies at different speeds. According to this site, gas mileage usually decreases significantly above 60mph or 90km/h.
- Maintain your vehicle. Regular oil/filter and air filter changes are essential!
- Reduce your IDLE time. You wouldn’t think that idling would waste a lot of gas, but you’re running your engine at 0 mpg.
- Plan your routes to avoid stop and go traffic.
- Buy a fuel efficient vehicle. Hybrids seem to be the hype these days. In my opinion though, I like to wait until technology proves itself. So I’m going to recommend the gasoline based Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla/Yaris. Here is a list of most and least fuel efficient cars around.
Here is a video by MotorWeek that discusses maximizing your gas mileage.
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5 Comments, Comment or Ping
1. Ryan
You left one other great way to save on gas…take advantage of public transit and only own one vehicle if you are able to.
My wife and I both had our own vehicles when we first got together, however after 2 years we quickly realized that probably 90% of the time we were in the same car, so the need for 2 vehicles was no longer necessary. At first it was hard and it took awhile to get used to only owning one vehicle, but we have been able to remain a one vehicle household now for 9 years. Even with 2 kids and living in the burbs we are still able to manage.
I take public transit every day to work and wouldn’t have it any other way. Just by making this one sacrifice I am saving our family hundreds of dollars a year in gas, insurance, maintenance not to mention what we are doing for the environment.
Perhaps one day we may need a second vehicle once our kids become more and more active, but when we do we will definitely looking for a Yaris type vehicle.
Ryan
Jan 30th, 2007 @ 10:57 am
2. FrugalTrader
Hey Ryan,
That is a great point, public transit is definitely a huge money saver (and you get a tax credit). The reason why we own 2 cars is because my wife and I work in opposite ends of the city and our public transit system is among the worst in Canada.
FT
Jan 30th, 2007 @ 11:10 am
3. canabiz
Another tip that I would recommend is to bike/walk/roller-blade in the summer if it’s not too far
Like going to the supermarket to pick up a loaf of bread or some milk, is it necessary to hop into your car ?
It’s good for your wallett, it’s good for the environment (and your children in the future) and it’s good for your health. 2 thumbs up from me!
Sep 9th, 2007 @ 10:21 am
5. AndrewP
technically, work=force*distance =)
I’m ALL for the point of eliminating a source of fuel consumption as opposed to simply trying to minimize it.
I bike to work when the weather allows me to. I used to take the bus (during the Canadian winter). My bus route, though, takes a lot longer than driving - it’s a 45 minute savings when I drive, which is too big an opportunity cost to turn my back on. =\
Jun 21st, 2008 @ 11:58 am
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