It\u2019s a road trip! Road trips are supposed to be fun and exciting adventures. However, if you\u2019re unprepared for the long haul, your trip could be filled with frustration and aggravation. We\u2019re going to help you avoid frustration by giving you road trip tips for saving gas and being prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you pull up to a gas station, and there\u2019s a fuel delivery truck there, don\u2019t get gas there. Why? Recent fuel deliveries stir up sediment, which clogs your vehicle\u2019s fuel filter. This filter is important because it prevents debris, such as sediment, from entering your car\u2019s fuel injection system. Without a fuel filter, sediment and other debris can decrease performance and damage a car\u2019s engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspections and annual tune-ups are a part of essential vehicle maintenance. Review your vehicle owner\u2019s manual for recommendations on maintenance intervals. Ensure you have your vehicle\u2019s suspension and chassis parts inspected for misalignments. Bad shocks, broken springs, and bent axles and wheels can create engine drag, which is unsafe, especially when you\u2019re traveling at high speeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it\u2019s good to have a full gas tank, you don\u2019t want to overfill it. Overfilling the gas tank can lead to spills and waste. Once the gas tank clicks once, that\u2019s it! Don\u2019t continue to put more gas into your vehicle. Once you fill the tank, ensure the gas cap clicks three times to prevent the fuel from vaporizing. You can track gas prices with a gas app to keep you posted on daily gas price changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you know that properly inflated tires are safer and last longer than tires that are not properly inflated? Correctly inflated tires can also enhance your gas mileage by at least 3% per tire. You should check your tire pressure at least once each month and compare it to the recommended tire pressure in the owner\u2019s manual. You can also find tire pressure information on the placard on the inside of the vehicle door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can inflate your tires as needed. Make sure you check the tire pressure when your tires are cold or when the temperature outside drops. One of the best times to check the tire pressure is early in the morning since your car has been idle for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some gas stations are full-service, which means someone is there to pump your gas for you. If this is an option at a gas station when you\u2019re getting gas, choose self-service. You should also pay in cash if there is a fee to pay with a credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you travel, you\u2019ll notice a change in gas prices. If you find a gas station that has reasonable prices, don\u2019t hesitate to get gas and save a few coins! If you travel often, you may be interested in applying for a credit card offered by a gas station. These credit cards often offer fuel savings and other deals when you make purchases at that gas station chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can reduce fuel consumption by keeping your windows closed when you\u2019re traveling at high speeds. Leaving your windows open while traveling at high speeds causes an aerodynamic drag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re approaching hills, you should only accelerate before you reach the hill, not while you\u2019re on the hill. Maintain a safe speed. Gas mileage often decreases once you go over 60 mph. Acceleration and deceleration waste fuel, so try to drive at a consistent speed to avoid tailgating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember that the driver in front of you can be unpredictable, so make sure you maintain a safe distance so you don\u2019t have to slam on your brakes more than necessary. If your vehicle has cruise control, use it when you can. Using cruise control will help you maintain a specific speed and save fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, don\u2019t keep your foot on the clutch while driving. The least amount of pressure puts a mechanical drag on the vehicle\u2019s components, causing them to wear down prematurely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Driving on rough roads, such as dirt and gravel roads, can cause you to lose up to 30% of your gas mileage. Use alternate roads when you can. Did you know that roads that have curves and corners require extra gas? Switching lanes also use extra gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traffic lights are programmed for your benefit. When you travel at a steady, legal speed, you can increase your chances of getting more green lights on your trip. Pay attention to the traffic lights and anticipate whether they\u2019ll change by the time you get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gas stations near major highways often have higher gas prices because of increasing overhead costs. Fill your car\u2019s gas tank at a local gas station before your trip. If you need to get gas near a highway, try to find a gas station that is near a state border line, as they tend to have lower gas prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the temperature warms up and there\u2019s no longer snow on the ground, change from snow tires to standard tires. Using snow tires during any other season than winter can hurt your fuel economy because of their deep tire treads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it\u2019s hot outside, the first thing you want to do is crank the AC to the max when you get in the car. However, doing so can reduce your miles per gallon by as much as 25% compared to not using the AC, or at least not at the maximum level. When you\u2019re out and about, try to park in a shaded area so the AC doesn\u2019t have to work too hard to cool your vehicle. You should turn off the AC 5 minutes before reaching your destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Items such as extra tires, luggage, and similar items can weigh your car down and reduce your gas mileage, especially when you\u2019re driving up inclines. If you have a large SUV or minivan, if you\u2019re not using the third-row seat, remove it until you need it to save on gas. Did you know that third-row seats can exceed 100 pounds?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Traffic jams can be frustrating. If you\u2019ve ever been in a traffic jam, you\u2019ve noticed that cars constantly speed up and slow down. Trucks, however, continue rolling at the same pace. Slow and steady wins the race! The constant speed up and slowing down destroys your fuel economy. More fuel is required to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Allowing your vehicle to idle burns 1 gallon of gas per hour. If you\u2019re at a standstill, turn off the car\u2019s engine to save fuel and help the environment by not releasing unnecessary emissions from your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re probably aware of the standard vehicle maintenance, such as keeping the tires inflated, changing the oil, and not allowing your vehicle to run too low on gas. However, have you heard about waxing your vehicle to save gas? Of course, waxing your car keeps it clean, and it can also reduce aerodynamic drag, providing better gas mileage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you reach your destination, if you\u2019re visiting shops or other places close to one another, get some fresh air and walk to these locations instead of driving. If you can, park near the shops and walk the rest of the way. You don\u2019t want to waste gas by driving all over the parking lot looking for the closest parking space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re getting a vehicle, and one of your goals is to save money on gas, purchase a car that has good gas mileage. If you\u2019re renting a vehicle for your trip, try to find a vehicle that can accommodate most of your travel needs and get good gas mileage. There\u2019s a big difference between 20 mpg and 40 mpg when it comes to your wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your vehicle doesn\u2019t specifically state that premium fuel is required for the best performance and operation, don\u2019t buy it. Many drivers believe that their vehicles will run better if they use a higher quality fuel, and this is a myth. Most vehicles are designed to run efficiently on standard gas. If you\u2019re unsure, check the owner\u2019s manual to determine what fuel grade your vehicle needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every penny counts when it comes to saving money on gas during road trips. Using some or all of the previously mentioned tips to save gas while on your road trip can save a lot of cash and minimize frustration. Travel safely and enjoy your road trip!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s a road trip! Road trips are supposed to be fun and exciting adventures. However, if you\u2019re unprepared for the long haul, your trip could be filled with frustration and aggravation. We\u2019re going to help you avoid frustration by giving you road trip tips for saving gas and being prepared. Know When to Buy Gas […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n