Save Gas Right Now → Strategies for going farther on a gallon of gas

There are many small things you can do to help save some money at the gas station.  Implementing these small measures is safe and easy, and the savings definitely add up! The NRDC (National Resource Defense Council) estimates savings on average of $800 per car!

Here’s how those savings break down:

Maintenance → Potential savings: Up to $271 a year

• Tire Pressure – Keeping your tires properly inflated increases the safety and “fuel economy by 3% or more,” (NRDC).
• Tune-Ups – Regularly taking your car in for a tune-up can increase the efficiency of your car and decrease its gasoline consumption.  Not to mention it keeps the inside of your car running cleaner, longer and better.
• Use Quality Motor Oil – Use the motor oil grade designed for your engine and choose a fuel-efficient oil marked with the “Energy Conserving” label by the American Petroleum Institute. Using a friction-reducing formula in the right grade can improve fuel economy by up to 2% (NRDC).
• Travel Lightly -  Try not to keep unnecessary heavy items in or on top of you vehicle whenever possible.

Drive Smart → Potential savings: Up to $294 a year

• Slow Down – For safety reasons and the benefit of your bank account don’t go too fast.  Driving on the freeway at 65-75 mph is the most efficient for most cars.  Anything above this and your fuel economy will decrease exponentially
• Cut the Engine – Don’t keep the engine running longer than 30 seconds when you are at a standstill.  Turning off your engine will save you money on gas and cut emissions.

Minimize Your Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) → Potential savings: Up to $236 a year

• Carpool-If each commuter car carried just one more passenger once a week, we would cut America’s gasoline consumption by more than 50 million gallons each week. And commuting by car one day less per week saves you $236 per year on average (NRDC). Plus you get to use the carpool lane!
• Ride Your Bike – If you can ride your bike to work, school, or to run small errands you get the advantage of some exercise and riding eco-friendly. Multi-tasking is a beautiful thing!
• Mass Transit - Riding any kind of bus, light rail, or other large public transportation is the best and most efficient for commuting.  Your ecological footprint will be much smaller than it would be driving yourself in your car.

Other Options

• Try a Different Gasoline – Consider switching from premium to mid-grade or regular gasoline for vehicles that do not require premium. Consult your owner’s manual first.
• Buy an Efficient Car – If you’re in the market for a new car, get one that uses less gas, such as a hybrid. Compare models in the same class and pick the one with the highest miles-per-gallon rating.

Potential Savings for Top 10 Bestselling Vehicles in 2000

For full chart and methodology, click here. Chart courtesy of NRDC.org

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