Tips for Saving Money on Gas

I’m not sure about you- but every time I have to fill up my car with gas, I cringe. Every day, gas prices seem to increase, and the overall increase from March 2010 to March 2011 is staggering.

With little relief at the pump in sight, we wanted to bring you some tips for getting more bang for your buck at the pump.

One of the first things you can do to reduce the number of trips to the gas station is to watch how aggressive you drive. Make sure you’re not reliving your drag-racing days when intersection lights turn green. Take off slowly from a full stop- it’s a very minor adjustment to your driving, but it can have a huge impact on your gas mileage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% around town”.

Accelerating and braking slowly can really make a difference on your wallet. Traffic congestion around Nashville and the surrounding areas is notoriously bad- and while idling at some point on I-65 or one of the other highways is guaranteed, it doesn’t have to drain your gas tank.

Our second tip is to slow down! Did you know that most vehicles get the greatest fuel efficiency between 45MPH and 55MPH?

This chart shows that fuel efficiency actually DECREASES for speeds in excess of 60MPH.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas”. Slowing down can make a big difference on the number of trips you make to the pump each month.