Are your visits to the gas pump leaving your wallet a little thinner than you want? Did you know that there are measures you can take to increase your gas mileage and help you save money when you fill up? Here are some tips you can follow to increase your gas mileage and hopefully see some savings at the gas station.
Change your filters
Did you know that changing the filters in your car can boost your gas mileage? If your filters are gunked up, the systems in your car have to work harder to perform, thus making your gas mileage decrease. When you get your car checked out by a certified mechanic (or when you get an oil change), have him or her take a look at your filters so you know when its time to have them replaced. Your new filters will probably only cost you a few dollars, but you’ll probably see some considerable savings at the gas pump!
Get regular oil changes
When your oil needs to be changed, the systems in your car experience more friction than normal, which causes your gas mileage to decrease. Check your car’s owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for scheduling oil changes, as well as what grade oil to use. You may also want to talk to a certified mechanic about whether synthetic oil could help you improve your car’s gas mileage.
Downgrade your octane
When you go to the gas pump, you may notice that the lowest octane gas is the least expensive. Unless your car’s owner’s manual warns against using low-octane gas, go ahead and fill up with your cheapest option. Your car won’t necessarily run any better or worse, and you can see some significant savings at the gas station.
Check your tire pressure
In your car’s owner’s manual or on a sticker on the frame of your car, you should be able to locate your manufacturer’s recommendation for tire pressure. Get a reliable pressure gauge and check your tire pressure regularly. Try to stay within the recommended range so that you can get the best gas mileage possible. Generally, the higher your tire pressure, the better gas mileage you will get. Just be sure that you don’t go over the recommended range so that you don’t cause any undue wear and tear on your tires.
You might also want to see how adjusting your travel schedule and driving at different speeds affects your gas mileage. You might find that driving at off-peak times and keeping a steadier pace can save you money at the pump. Also be sure to talk to a certified mechanic about other things you can do to increase your gas mileage. He or she may have some good recommendations for simple and easy things that you can do to save money at the gas pump.
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