Even though gas prices have been dropping steadily over the last few weeks, gasoline still isn’t exactly cheap. If you do a lot of driving and you’re looking for the best gas saving tips, you’ve probably heard quite a few of them because, frankly, there are millions of blog articles about gas saving tips scattered all over the web (including from us).
Recently however we began to wonder if all of those tips actually work, and did some research to find out which ones did and, more importantly, which ones did not. This blog will enlighten you and hopefully lighten the load on your wallet the next time you go to fill up your car’s tank.
Gas Saving Tip #1: Driving Slower – YES
This is one of the biggest tips that you’ll find on almost all blogs and it simply says that if you drive at slower speeds you will definitely save money on gas because your car will use less of it. This tip is, in fact, quite true. The difference between driving just 10 miles an hour slower can save you upwards of 12 to 15% on gas. The fact is, one of the biggest problems that most people have when driving, especially long distances, is that they don’t give themselves enough time to get where they are going on time, and thus need to speed to get there.
If most people give themselves a little bit of extra time they would save a lot of money because they would be able to drive slower. Also, driving slower is quite a bit safer.
Gas Saving Tip #2: Using Cruise Control – YES
Another tip that you frequently see on gasoline saving tip blogs is that using cruise control is a great way to cut down on wasting gas. It’s true and not only does it help save gas, it also forces drivers to take the “long view” of any road they’re driving on, which helps them to react less to the various changes in traffic and prevent surging, which wastes gasoline.
Gas Saving Tip #3: Driving Aggressively rather than Calmly – YES
Interestingly, one of the biggest factors in whether or not you can save gas while driving is, surprise, you. Many people are such aggressive drivers, mashing their foot down on the gas at lights and stop signs, driving much too fast and accelerating when they should actually be taking their foot off of the gas pedal and slowing down, that they waste gas by the gallon. The people who look far ahead when they’re driving and anticipate stops and starts and coast whenever possible save much more on gasoline than their aggressive counterparts.
Gas Saving Tip #4: Using the AC versus Opening the Windows – NO
Many readers will be very glad to know that, especially in the dog days of summer, using the AC rather than opening the windows doesn’t affect your gas mileage or gasoline use very much at all. Yes, the AC compressor does waste a small amount of gas but, in today’s modern cars, it’s quite minimal. When faced with the decision to save a very small amount of money while you roast in a hot car, or spend just a bit more and drive comfortably, the choice should be quite clear (unless you’re ridiculously frugal.).
Gas Saving Tip #5: Keeping your Tires Properly Inflated – NO
Okay, this one is a bit tricky. The fact is, tires are quite expensive and keeping them properly inflated is the best way to make sure that they last as long as possible. On the other hand, a slightly over or under-inflated tire isn’t going to really make a difference in your gas mileage at all. So, as far as gas saving is concerned, you don’t have to be a freak about worrying if your tires are properly inflated. On the other hand, if you don’t want to spend money more often on purchasing new tires, keeping them properly inflated and checking them regularly is a good idea.
