How to Get the Most Out Of Your Gallon of Gas

Roberta Willson • November 16, 2023

The national average through 2023 is $3.58 per gallon of gas with it fluctuating each and every month. The good news is that we have seen gas prices go down over the last 12 months but it is still high enough to affect where people go on vacations, holidays, and even just weekend activities. If you are looking to save some cash with the holidays just around the corner. Here are six tips to help you get the most out of that pricey gallon of gas! 

1. Don’t speed

It might sound boring and overly simple but driving the speed limits and driving smoothly will play a significant role in your fuel economy. For example, if the speed limit is 55 mph and you cruise at 75 mph it is like moving from a compact car to a large SUV and can affect you by almost 7mpg! An additional bonus - you know you won’t be getting a speeding ticket! 


2. Use cruise control

This goes hand in hand with controlling your speeding. It may not be possible to use cruise control in your daily driving routine but you should avoid hard acceleration and braking whenever possible. This will not only save you on your gas mileage but will also extend the life of your engine, transmission, brakes, and tires - saving you more money for those holiday events! 


3. Use fuel additives

There are many fuel additive products out there and you may not need an octane booster but certain fuel-additives will help improve your gas mileage. The best way to see which would work best for your vehicle is to test it out at the next fill-up; gauge your gas mileage on that tank of gas vs. without the fuel additives and adjust from there. 

4. Get a tune up 

If you do not have one already, find a trustworthy mechanic that you can bring your car to routinely. You will want to bring your vehicle in for a tune up as dirty oil and clogged air filters can reduce your fuel economy. If you have any indication lights come on, a check engine light especially, do not hesitate to bring your vehicle to your mechanic for a look - all of these things can negatively affect your fuel economy. 


5. Tire pressure

Typically, tires lose about 1 psi a month and having lower pressure than what is recommended will affect your vehicle’s performance, tire longevity, and of course, fuel economy (up to 3%). You can find your vehicle’s recommended tire pressure on the door jam sticker inside your driver's door. Check your tire pressure at least once a month to ensure your tire pressure is where it should be. 


6. RPMs 

If you are like me, you probably don’t spend a ton of time looking at your vehicle’s tachometer? This is where you can see how many RPMs (revolutions per minute) your vehicle generates. The goal is to keep this number low, below 3,000 RPMs whenever possible to help improve your gas mileage. This will help your fuel economy simply because you are not burning as much fuel from accelerating quickly or revving too high. If your vehicle has an eco-mode, this will automatically prevent your RPMs from getting too high and would recommend using this feature to save yourself that precious gas money! 


Gas prices are starting to trend down but saving money is never a bad idea. Be sure to check back for more advice and tips and don't forget to give us a call for any used auto parts or used tires this holiday season!


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