Is The Way You Drive Wasting Money?

What can you do to cut your transportation costs, especially since gas is going up? You could walk or ride a bike, but that’s probably inconvenient.

You could downgrade your car, but that’s a big hassle. You could also take public transportation, but being around other people in close quarters isn’t a great idea in times like these.

What cost-cutting options are left on the table? You could change the way you drive, which is easier than you think and can result in significant savings when it comes to gas consumption.

To change how you drive, you first have to see what mistakes you’re making. Here are some driving habits that waste gas, as well as recommendations on how you can fix them.

Driving Habits That Waste Gas

Accelerating Too Hard

Is it fun to floor it when you’re stopped at an intersection? Yes, but it’s also very wasteful, and it can make you use more gas than you should. Instead of flooring it and putting the pedal to the metal from a dead stop, accelerate gradually. This should cut down gas consumption since experts say 50 percent of your car’s energy is used to accelerate.

Speeding

The next time you speed past the posted limit, remember these statistics from the U.S. Department of Energy:

• Driving 55 miles per hour versus 65 increases gas mileage by 15 percent.
• For every five miles per hour you go past 50, it’s as if you’re paying 18 cents more per gallon of fuel.

Constant Accelerating and Braking

Is your foot continually alternating between the gas pedal and brake? If so, that makes your fuel economy worse while also adding wear and tear to your brakes.

Learn to let your car glide instead of breaking and accelerating all the time. Anticipate red lights, stop signs, and turns, and let off the gas when they approach. This reduces gas-consuming acceleration and allows you to brake easier. By coasting/gliding, statistics show you can improve gas mileage by 40 percent.

Driving in Low Gear

Do you drive a stick shift? If so, you should make it a habit of getting into top gear as quickly as possible. If not, driving in low gear will waste gas.

Idling

Sitting in your parked car while it’s running may seem harmless, but it’s incredibly wasteful when it comes to fuel. Studies show that just one hour of idling can waste half a gallon of gas, so keep your car turned off if you’re not driving it.

Driving on Underinflated Tires

Are your car’s tires inflated properly? They should be inflated according to your manufacturer’s recommendations. If not, you’ll get less than ideal fuel economy. And if they’re overinflated, you’ll wear out your tired treads prematurely and have to fork over cash for new ones.

Driving in a Packed Car

A car that’s weighed down will see its gas mileage suffer. Unless you need all of the stuff in it, clean out your car to make it lighter.