Gasoline savings add up if you use it wisely

It costs a lot of money to buy gasoline these days, and that doesn’t look like it is going to change anytime soon. There is no shortage, as in years past; instead there is a huge increase in worldwide demand. The laws of the marketplace will insure that while gasoline will continue to be available in the foreseeable future, it will continue to cost more than it has in the past.

In the United States, where practical mass transit remains scarce, the demand for gasoline will continue, regardless of price. Americans need cars and need gas. The high prices will continue to strain the budgets of some families, but the only way to save money at this time is to use less of it. That requires that drivers be more conscious of how they are wasting fuel.

Here are some suggestions as to how the average driver might save money on gasoline consumption:

• If you buy at a gas station that offers cash discounts, pay cash. It’s convenient to use a credit card, but not if you have to pay more to do so. Some gas stations even have automatic teller machines, so it isn’t always that difficult to pay cash.
• If you buy with a credit card, use one that gives you a discount. The Discover Card, as well as some others, offer a rebate for all purchases. Some cards even offer a special discount for gasoline purchases. You might consider getting a new card if you don’t have one that will let you take advantage of discounts.
• Inflate your tires properly. Underinflated tires will cause your gas mileage to decline. Air pressure gauges are not expensive, so checking your tire pressure regularly shouldn’t be too much of a burden.

• Don’t buy premium gasoline unless your owner’s manual specifically requires it. If you drive a Dodge Viper, you may need to buy premium gas. If you drive a Honda Civic, you are probably just wasting money by buying anything more expensive than regular.  Your best use of gas comes from using the grade that is appropriate for your vehicle.
• Don’t speed. Driving at the speed limit and maintaining a constant speed will reduce your gas consumption. Most cars actually get their best mileage at about 50 miles per hour, so keep that in mind as you go speeding around town.
• Combine trips. If you need to go to the drug store, the grocery store and the dry cleaners, try to arrange to do it all at once rather than make three trips.
• Carpool if you can. Three people going to the same place at the same time can do it in one car, rather than three.
• If you need to buy a car, consider one that gets better than average gas mileage.

These are but a few of the many suggestions that will help you save money on gasoline. Each one saves just a little bit, but they do have a cumulative effect. The more ways you look to save, the more ways you will save.

 

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