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10 Easy Tips to Save Money & Fuel


With gas prices continuing to rise, here are some simple ways to keep money in your wallet and gasoline in your tank while helping out the environment at the same time. Using these tips can help you save 15-33% on your fuel spending.
  • Avoid idling for long periods of time. If you will not move for more than 1 minute, turn your car off as idling burns more gas than restarting the engine. Not idling can save $60-$750 a year and prevents engine from wearing out. 2 minutes of idling = driving 1 mile.
  • Be smart when you cool. Roll windows down for cool, fresh air when driving less than 40 mph as AC can reduce gas mileage by 20%.
  • Use the cruise. Using cruise control when traveling higher speeds and especially on long distance trips can help save about 60 gallons of gas for every 10,000 miles you use cruise control.
  • Get the junk out of the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces gas mileage by 2%.
  • Slow down and save. Every 5 miles per hour over 60 can cost an extra 20-30 cents per gallon.
  • Change your oil. Clean oil improves gas economy by 1-2%.
  • Don�t go too low. Checking tire pressure once a month can save a tank of gas a year.
  • Don�t be a jackrabbit. Abrupt starts and stops can increase fuel use by 40%. Slowly accelerate from a stop sign or traffic light and lightly pump the brakes when coming to a stop.
  • Let your car breath. A clogged air filter can reduce mileage by 10%.
  • Don�t drip and drive. Tightening the fuel cap prevents leakage of up to 30 gallons of gas per year. A new filter can improve miles per gallon performance by up to 14%.
Some other helpful tips:
  • Walk, bike, take a bus or carpool when possible. Now, with the warmer weather, is a great time to walk or bike to work, running errands, meeting up with friends, etc.
  • Combine errands into one trip. Consolidate trips to destinations that are near one another where you can park and walk between destinations. This helps to save gas and prevent wear and tear on your car.
  • Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks. These help to improve performance and gas mileage. Check the owner�s manual for recommended maintenance schedules which can help you avoid fuel economy issues due to worn spark plugs, dragging breaks, low transmission fluid, etc.
(Image provided by the Office of Sustainability.)

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