6 Money Saving Driving Tips
Life is expensive and most of us can benefit from saving money wherever we can. While cars can be costly with regular maintenance and keeping the tank full, there are a variety of ways you can improve fuel efficiency and save money in the long run.
Keep Your Speed and Acceleration in Check
Although we are often in a hurry and it’s tempting to speed up quickly, you can minimize fuel use by accelerating gradually and maintaining a steady speed. You should also ease off the gas when possible, and use cruise control when it’s safe to do so. According to FuelEconomy.gov, aggressive driving may lower gas mileage by 15-30% at highway speeds and 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic.
Avoid Overusing Your Breaks
Occasional harsh braking may be unavoidable, but you should try to brake gently whenever possible. Strong braking not only increases fuel consumption, but also puts more wear and tear on your brakes, shortening their lifespan and causing you to replace them sooner.
Keep Your Tires Inflated
Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your car’s gas mileage by up to 3%, according to the US Department of Energy. When air pressure drops too low, there is more resistance between your tires and the road, causing your engine to work harder and use more fuel. Under inflated tires also wear more quickly and make them more susceptible to blowouts. Keep in mind that overinflation can also be dangerous, so make sure to maintain pressure in line with your tire’s specifications.
Avoid Idling
If stopped at an excessively long light or stuck in traffic, turning off your car can save fuel. Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more gas than restarting the engine, so turning off your car can be particularly beneficial when stopped for minutes at a time.
Find Affordable Gas
It’s no secret that gas prices have been high, but taking the time to find the most affordable gas stations can save a lot of money in the long run. Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club typically offer the best deals, but if you’re not a member or don’t want to wait in line, a price tracking app such as GasBuddy can help you find the best price near you. If you’re on a road trip, you should also avoid stations that are right near the freeway as these often have overly inflated prices.
Plan Your Trips
When driving around town, try to plan your trips efficiently. Although we all inevitably forget something or need to make a spontaneous addition to our errands, combining your shopping can help minimize driving distance and keep your engine warm to maximize fuel efficiency.
When in the market for a used car, stop by Carousel Preowned. Carousel Preowned serving Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, North Liberty, Marion, and Coralville, IA, is proud to be an automotive leader in our community. We do our best to ensure your complete satisfaction every time you step into our car dealership. This is why we offer the widest selection of used and pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs and provide true ease of purchase in Iowa.