Fuel Saving Tips that Make Cents: Saving Money & Being Green

This is David Denberg, one of The Many Mouths of Mota. Today, I am posting as MotaGreen.

Monday, June 16, the national average per gallon of regular gas reached $4.08, the highest ever recorded in US history. Given rising demand trends and stagnant supply it doesn’t seem like oil prices are coming down, which means more money out of our pockets to live the same way we did a year ago. There are solutions that won’t necessarily solve America’s larger foreign oil dependency problems, but can save us as individuals some money.

Five things I did without spending more than five dollars increased my fuel efficiency from 15-30%, which translates into $0.60 to $1.20 per gallon of gas used. Not only can you save yourself money by embracing these simple steps, you’re reducing your carbon footprint. For those who don’t want to accept the general consensus of global warming, the financial savings should be enticing enough. For all you believers, what better way to say you’re doing your part than by reducing emissions of your vehicle and saving money which can be put towards other environmentally friendly improvements.

1. There is very little I love more than feeling the true power of my engine kick into action and propel me from 0-60 as fast as possible. Despite this joy, I recently changed my driving habits because this truly kills gas efficiency. I didn’t really mind when gas was $2/gallon, but those days are long gone. The realization was solidified when it cost me sixty-two dollars for a full tank that, three years ago, cost only twenty-eight dollars. Changing one’s driving habits is the single most influential factor when improving your MPG, and it’s completely free. It requires a shift in driving mentality, which isn’t always easy, but the rewards are worthwhile.
2. While in the gas station I decided to check my tire pressure and was shocked to see they had deflated considerably since my last check several months ago. Incorrect tire pressure by only 5 psi can reduce MPG by 10% and cause greater wear and tear on your tires, costing you more to drive than it should. Simple things that commonsense would suggest can increase your MPG by several gallons. Not driving with unnecessary weight in your car for example, for each 100lbs MPG goes down by 1-2 miles per gallon.
3. For highway driving, cruise control at a comfortable speed can increase efficiency an additional 1-2 miles per gallon.
4. Car companies consider aerodynamics when designing, so should you! If you have a rack on your car or some other object that obstructs wind flow you might want to consider how often you use it, and if it merits permanent placement.
5. Lastly, it is imperative that you use gas only when it’s needed! Sounds simple, but so many people leave their car running for too long, anytime you idle over 30 seconds it is using more energy than re-starting the car. In a long line at the fast food drive thru? Turn off your engine!
   

In total these steps took about 1 hour and can save you hundreds of dollars every year. There are other ways to astronomically reduce your fuel consumption, though it requires a much larger investment. For the time being, I’m happy with my increased efficiency, at virtually no cost.

Stumble It!