I would love to get one of those new hybrid cars. Hauling kids to and from activities costs a small fortune these days. The problem is that I just can't afford a new car payment at this time. SInce buying a hybrid is not an option, I do the next best thing: I think, "Beat the Hybrid".

No, I'm not delusional. Of course my sedan can't even touch the fuel economy of a hybrid, but I like to see how close I can get by checking my average fuel economy readout. Driving smart is the key to saving on fuel costs.

Plan Your Week

The first step to saving the household fuel budget is to make a weekly driving plan. Combine as many errands as possible into one trip. It is more cost effective to drive a car that is already warmed up across town than it is to drive one that isn't. If you think there will be down time between errands, be sure to bring something you can do in the car. Pros: Save gas, trips, and time. Cons: Down time between appointments.

Watch the Web

Many people use websites such as www.gaspricewatch.com and www.gasbuddy.com. Plan to visit the most reasonable station on your route. Driving out of the way to save a few cents is not economical. These websites rely on people to input the prices they see and prices may be several days old. During my research for this article, I found that the stations with the best prices didn't even have their prices reported on the website. Pros: You can plan where to fuel up along your route. Cons: The best price may be inaccurate, not listed, or out of the way.

Drive Smart

Driving habits remain in our own control regardless of any other factors impacting our fuel budget. Cars today are able to accelerate quickly, however, the price of fast acceleration and braking can cost you anywhere from 5 to 33% of your gas mileage, according to www.fueleconomy.gov. When you approach a light that has been green for awhile, stay off the gas. Stepping on the gas and then having to slam on the brakes isn't good for your car or your gas mileage. Paying attention to speed limits is not only a safety issue, but a fuel saver too. Driving over 60 mph greatly reduces gas mileage. For every 5 mph over 60, you add $.24 per gallon to the cost of fuel. When trying to modify driving habits, it helps to think about the money you are saving. Pros: Safety, save gas. Cons: Hard to change bad habits.

Other items that reduce gas mileage are excess weight in the vehicle and idling. Remove unnecessary items from the trunk or roof rack and try to plan trips during non-peak times so that you won't spend a lot of time idling in traffic. Using cruise control and overdrive will also help increase fuel economy. Pros: Save gas, good for your car. Cons: Sacrifice convenience.

Maintenance

Proper vehicle maintenance will also save money. Keep tires inflated to the proper PSI. Check and replace air filters as necessary, and consult your owner's manual for the recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle. Check to see that your oil says "Energy Conserving" on the API (American Petroleum Institute) label. This means that there are friction-reducing additives in the oil. Pros: Save gas, good for your car. Cons: Some car owners may need help checking these.

Following these important tips can help you maximize fuel economy for your car. With the money you save, you just may be able to afford a hybrid next time.

Learn more about this author, F.M. Leith.
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