Save Money on Gas: Tips for Better Gas Mileage & Fuel Economy

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Why spend more at the gas pump when you can easily spend less? Follow these simple tips and you'll see a noticeable difference in your fuel costs. The savings are based on driving 20,000 miles per year, in a car that gets 20 mpg, with gasoline priced at $3.75 a gallon.

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Save $900 by keeping your tires at the right pressure
Change spark plugs before they're due
Save $350 by changing your air filter early and often
Save $177.50 by keeping your car aligned
Lead foot = light wallet
Replace a broken or missing spoiler
Speed kills—your gas mileage and your wallet
Replace your oxygen sensor(s) before the light goes on

Article

Save $900 by keeping your tires at the right pressure

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Keep tires at the right pressure

Surveys show that 60 percent of the vehicles on the road have tires that are underinflated by at least 30 percent. That's at least 9 psi below the manufacturer's recommended pressure. That can cost you almost 7 percent in wasted fuel ($245 per year, or 24¢ per gallon). Plus, low air pressure causes premature tire wear, and that can cost almost $300 over the life of the tires. For best results, check your tire's air pressure with a digital pressure gauge (about $10 at any auto parts store) and fill to the recommended pressure shown on the decal inside the driver's door or on the driver's door pillar.

Change spark plugs before they're due

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Replace spark plugs early and save a lot

If your 100,000-mile spark plugs have 80,000 miles on them, they’re 80 percent worn. Misfires and incomplete combustion occur more frequently during that last 20,000 miles, costing you almost $562.50 in wasted fuel. You have to replace your spark plugs anyway, so do it early and pocket the savings. Even if you have to replace the plugs one extra time over the life of your car, you’ll still come out way ahead. And don't automatically assume your plugs are good for 100,000 miles. Many four-cylinder engines require new spark plugs at either 30,000- or 60,000-mile intervals.

Save $350 by changing your air filter early and often

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Replace your air filter often

Your engine sucks in 14 million gallons of air through the filter every year. On older vehicles (pre-1999) a dirty air filter increases fuel usage by almost 10 percent ($350 per year, or 35¢ per gallon). On newer vehicles, the computer is smart enough to detect the lower airflow, and it cuts back on fuel. So your engine will lack power and pick-up. Check the filter when you change your oil and replace it at least once a year, or more if you drive in dirty, dusty conditions.

Save $177.50 by keeping your car aligned

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Measure your tire tread depth

An easy way to make sure your car is in alignment is to check tires for wear.

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Tread depth gauge

A tread depth gauge costs $2 at any auto parts store

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Check tire tread for uneven wear

Uneven tread wear like this can cost hundreds of dollars a year in extra gas.

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If your tires are bowed out of alignment by just .017 in., it's the equivalent of dragging your tire sideways for 102 miles for every 20,000 you drive. That’ll cost you $187.50 a year in wasted gas. It will wear your tires faster, costing you $70 more a year.

Here’s an easy way to check your alignment without taking your car in to the shop. Buy a tread depth gauge ($2) and measure the tread depth on both edges of each tire (rear tires too). If one side of the tire is worn more than the other, your car needs to be aligned. An alignment costs about $80, so you'll still save $177.50 the first year alone.

Lead foot = light wallet

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Save money by driving slower

Hard acceleration in stop-and-go driving costs you 20 percent in gas mileage. If you live your life in rush hour traffic and like to put the pedal to the metal, spend all your extra time at the next stoplight figuring out how you could have spent the $750 a year you’re wasting (70¢ per gallon).

Replace a broken or missing spoiler

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An air dam (spoiler) reduces fuel costs

The plastic air dam (aka “spoiler”) that’s broken or missing wasn’t just for a sporty look. If your car had an air dam, driving without it or with a damaged one can reduce your gas mileage. The air dam literally “dams off” airflow to the undercarriage of your car, forcing the air up and over the hood. That helps your car cut through the air with less drag. It also increases airflow to the A/C condenser and radiator, reducing the load on your car’s electrical system. Contact a junkyard or visit certifit.com to get a replacement air dam.

Speed kills—your gas mileage and your wallet

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Driving fast costs more

Yes, you’ve heard it before, but how about some real world numbers to drive the point home? Aerodynamic drag is a minor concern in city driving, but it really kills your gas mileage at speeds over 55 mph. In fact, increasing your speed to 65 increases drag by 36 percent! If you do a lot of highway driving, getting to your destination a few minutes early could cost you an extra $500 to $600 a year. Keep it closer to 55 mph and use your cruise control. It will pay off.

Replace your oxygen sensor(s) before the light goes on

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Oxygen sensors monitor exhaust

A worn-out oxygen sensor can reduce your gas mileage. Save money by fixing it.

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Replace oxygen sensors regularly

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Oxygen sensors monitor the efficiency of combustion by tracking the amount of oxygen remaining in the exhaust. But they degrade over time and that can cost you up to 15 percent in gas mileage. When they fail, the computer lights up your "service engine soon" light, forcing you to incur an $80 diagnostic fee. On pre-1996 vehicles, replace your oxygen sensor every 60,000 miles to keep your mileage at its peak. On 1996 and newer vehicles, replace the sensors every 100,000 miles. Oxygen sensors cost about $60 each. Some vehicles have as many as four, but the sensors installed behind the catalytic converter rarely fail.

Tools & Materials

Required Tools for this Project

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

Socket/ratchet set
Tire pressure gauge
Tread depth gauge
Oxygen sensor socket

Required Materials for this Project

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here's a list.

Spark plugs
Air filter
Replacement air dam (spoiler)
Oxygen sensor (s)
Tires

Shopping List

Save Money on Gas: Tips for Better Gas Mileage & Fuel Economy - Shopping List

Comments

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jamar

December 23, 3:13 PM [GMT -5]

Great article!

Jahnavi

March 14, 6:02 AM [GMT -5]

As a result the cost of insuring the unthinkable is getting cheaper all the time. If you were sold a policy when you took out or mortgage you may have been under too much stress to shop around. You could be missing a trick.
http://www.whatisguide.net/0311-ways-to-save-money.html

Jehnavi

October 27, 1:16 AM [GMT -5]

States began receiving this money in August 2009, and will receive the remainder of it by November 30, 2009. If you wait a few more months, chances are that you can get a rebate for purchasing more energy efficient products, which will save you both in upfront costs as well as in long-term electricity costs.
http://www.financemetrics.com/

busted_knuckles

October 13, 12:29 PM [GMT -5]

Good ideas!! Add that following. Get the junk out of your trunk. All extra weight that's placed over, or behind the rear wheels is a mileage killer. If you're paying triple A to come out and change your flat tire I'd even suggest that you consider removing the spare tire and jack. Replace the weight with a sandbag in the winter if you live in a snowy area. Do replace that spare and jack with 2 cans of fix a flat. The cans contain sealer and compressed air that will get you home in 99.9% of all cases. If you drive an SUV and, as with most SUV owners, you NEVER drive off road consider replacing those inefficient truck tires with an all weather car tire when those you have need replacement. Car tires usually have less "rolling resistance" and lower noise levels while driving. Lastly, use gas with the octane level recommended in your owners manual. Using "regular" is cheaper at the pump, but when it costs you 2 or 3 miles per gallon in fuel mileage you're just paying more for it over time. Test this by using both for 2 tanks and calculate your mileage. You'll be a believer in no time.

Jahnavi

September 30, 2:31 AM [GMT -5]

Thanks for the suggestions to save money on gasoline. Keeping your car well maintained is probably the most important way to conserve gasoline. Be sure your tires are correctly inflated. Buy fuel-economy car. Avoid heavy traffic. The faster you drive, the more gas you use. Drive slowly.
http://www.financemetrics.com/

Jehnavi

August 10, 5:21 AM [GMT -5]

Expensive, but should be considered. For the most part, cuts and remapping the engine computer will normally be taken to improve performance. However, you can do the opposite - a trade-off some performance in exchange for better gas mileage.
http://www.financemetrics.com/

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