by Elaine M. Healy

Created on: November 02, 2008   Last Updated: November 12, 2008

There is no way to deny that times are incredibly hard right now and the biggest cause is the rising gas prices in this country. However, for most of us, our daily lives require us to drive. So how do we save on gasoline? There are really a handful of easy ways to save on gasoline without taking a lump sum out of our wallets and making the commitment of a hybrid vehicle.

1) Drive Time - Understanding that we need to drive to work or the kids to school or to do our errands there are ways around it. If you go "downtown" to run errands map out your route and park in a location that allows you walk around and complete all your errands without having to move the car around. Or if you live in a more urban location and you need to run and get milk simply walk to the corner store. Stay at your office during work instead of running out. If you sit back and think about it - it is usually pretty easy to decrease our time behind the wheel.

2) Fluids and Filters - We can all get lazy and let the most basic maintenance work on our vehicles laps. But a relatively inexpensive trip to you local "quick lube" location can save your vehicle undo stress which with time cause it to run rougher and rougher; and the rougher it gets the mores gas you start burning because the vehicle is working that much harder. Making sure the fluids and filters are changed regularly can save you a lot of money in the long run. Other than gas lapsing on this maintenance can cause lasting and more expensive problems.

3) Idle Time - Many people don't understand how much gas is actually being used when we leave our vehicles idling. Each time we hop out and leave it running because we are "just running in to get a cup of coffee" or because "it'll only be a minute" our vehicles continue to work. Every moment that you stand in line or chat with someone you know it is costing you money. Just turn it off. I don't suggest you turn the vehicle off if you are in traffic however. There is really no way out of this idling situation. The only real thing that can be done here is to attempt to alter your schedule to avoid peak rush hours.

4) Tire Pressure - This is something that many of us never even think about unless we have a tire that is dangerously low or flat even. What many don't know is that if the tire pressure is too low, or too high, it affects the designed aerodynamics of the vehicle and creates drag. It may not be obvious but the drag slows you down just enough just enough to keep your foot on the gas to keep up your regular speed forcing the engine to work harder and in turn costing you money.

5) Let Up a Little - We all have places to go and things to do but if it saved you money would you leave home 15 minutes earlier and travel a little slower? Keeping a vehicle at a steady sped and coasting as much as possible can save valuable gas mileage. A steady speed between 40 and 60 MPH is the most effective range to minimize gas usage. Anything over about 65 MPH and the gas just begins to cook away. You might as well through the wallet out the window. So while you are in the car for that extra 15 minutes you can use that time to count the money you're saving. In the end you are still going to get where you are going.

This is only a short list of the vast ways you can save money of gas. Take some time and search the internet to find hundreds of ways. Just remember that no matter how you do it - do it safely.

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