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Prepare to pay an arm or a leg to fill up your truck! It seems that way when you pull into a filling station these days. The lowest price of gasoline in my area is $3.89 a gallon, and I feel the crunch and my arm begins to twitch at the gas pump. People who haul freight or use their truck for work purposes are being squeezed in a vice. There has to be a better way to cope.

We're all looking for a way to save money on gas and we'd all like to share a few tips for getting the most for our money. The importance of maintenance cannot be over emphasized in saving money on gas. A well-maintained vehicle uses less gas, that's a no-brainer. There are other methods of saving that require a little planning and a good approach to maximizing your dollar.

MAINTENANCE

Starting with maintenance, we know the basics of a maintaining a well-tuned engine and we know to change oil at the recommended intervals. Many of us are aware that the proper air pressure in our tires makes a significant difference in our gas mileage, but what else affects your fuel economy?

Human factors:

Poor driving habits
Hauling and towing properly
Aerodynamics/ load drag
Stops/ speed variations

Vehicle factors:

Fuel system
Misaligned tires
Gross vehicle weight
Increased rpm/power demands
Mis-adjusted brakes that drag
Air pressure in tires

Changing a driving habit is not always an easy thing to do, but it is the element over which we have the most immediate control. The reward of paying less at the fuel pump makes it a worthwhile change.

Arranging loads so they don't produce drag is another good practice we can adopt quickly and painlessly. Use the air conditioner only when needed and roll down windows other times. These small changes may not seem like much, but when used with other cost saving methods, the savings add up at the gas pump.

Drafting behind eighteen wheelers is something I've seen and heard of professional drivers using this tactic in highway driving, but the practice of following too close or tailgating must be strictly avoided if you choose this tactic. I wouldn't recommend this method, but be aware that it is done by a significant number of drivers.

Check tires and air pressure regularly and have your vehicle serviced at regular intervals. Some maintenance problems are not apparent until they become a problem or a safety hazard.

The driving experience is a shared activity between you and your truck. It's important to know your truck and its capabilities, stay within its limits, and make good driving choices in every driving condition and situation. It will pay off for you and your vehicle when you apply these principles.

If you are in the market for a new truck, choose the one that meets your unique needs and has the highest fuel economy.

MORE MONEY SAVING TACTICS

Check online information such as gasbuddy.com for the lowest gas prices in your area and watch for gas specials in your neighborhood. Credit cards that give money back at the gas pump are useful and will help you economize, but they have caveats. Convenient stores in low traffic areas sometimes offer gas a significant savings.

If you have a super discount store like Sam's Club in your area, you can find discount prices for gasoline any day of the week. It's worth paying the $35 fee to join and you will gain back in savings within a short time if the retail discount is located nearby. Become aware of the gas prices in your area because prices fluctuate from one area to another.

When you use these tactics in combination you're maximizing your buying power and your fuel economy.

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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