In 2004, the average price for a gallon of regular gas nationally was $1.74 – and that was a record high. Many of our clients at Atlanta Insurance want to know what they can do to save gas – and money – right now. These tips will help you get the most for your precious dollar.
- Walk, bike, carpool, or take a MARTA or local city bus or the subway whenever possible. Think about your daily activities. Do you drive to the store for a couple items when you can just as easily walk? Do you drive your kids to the park when the family can bike there together instead? Sit down and map out ways to use your car less, and you will see savings instantly.
- Avoid long idles. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait longer than 30 to 45 seconds. In winter, limit your car warm-ups. Idling for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.
- Lighten your load. Many people forget about how many items they may be carrying in their trunk; extra weight decreases gas mileage.
- Combine errands into one trip. Consolidate trips to destinations that are near one another. Park in a central spot and walk between locations. Plan your trip ahead of time so that you do not retrace your route.
- Only use air-conditioning when absolutely necessary. Your car’s air vents, which circulate air in from the outside, may do the trick to cool you off. Or, roll down the windows!
- Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned, and get regular tune-ups and maintenance checks. Periodic appointments with your auto repair shop can help keep you on track. To save time, ask your mechanic to check over your car while you get an oil change.
- Speaking of oil changes, make sure to get the oil changed every 5,000 miles. While professionals differ on the actual mileage – some say 3,000 and others say 7,500 is often enough – it is important to make sure you schedule regular oil changes. Also, ensure that the proper grade of motor oil is being used. The wrong grade may increase the friction on your engine, using more gas.
- When buying a new car, check the gas mileage ratings of similar vehicles. Buy a fuel-efficient model in the size category that meets your needs. The government’s Fuel Economy Guide, issued annually and free of charge at all auto dealerships, compares gas mileage of similar models. You can also go to www.fueleconomy.gov to find out this information. Several models use no gas at all!
- Avoid high speeds. You can improve your gas mileage by about 20 percent by driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph.
- Accelerate slowly when starting from a dead stop. Anticipate stops to avoid sudden braking.
- Park your car so that you can drive forward out of your parking spot if at all possible; going in reverse wastes a little more gas.
- Choose the best route to your destination. Sometimes it is actually more fuel-efficient to take the longer way if there is less or no stopping.
- Follow your owner’s manual for the correct octane level of gas. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), using a higher octane offers you no benefit. Unless your engine is knocking, it is a waste of money.
- Check and replace air filters regularly. Replacing clogged filters can improve your gas mileage up to 10 percent.
- Offset other expenses like your Atlanta auto insurance rates. Drive to your nearest Atlanta Insurance office and find out how much you can save on your auto insurance. The money you save could offset the high price of gas! Call Atlanta Insurance at (404)352-0304 for a location near you.