Save Money On Gas

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Save Money On Gas

Save Money on Gas
By Nicole Soltau

Gas prices have soared to unimaginable heights of late. Since most of us are not likely to turn to bikes or horse-drawn buggies we will have to learn to get the most from our gas dollars. Try a few of the following tips to make your gas go farther.

• Combine trips. With your errand list in hand try to visit as many places as possible in one trip.

• Make sure that you tires are properly inflated. Read through the owner’s manual for specific information on proper pressure for your car.

• Change your air filter regularly. Clogged air filters can rob you of precious gas mileage and add as much as ten percent to your transportation budget.

• Notice how your mileage relates to your fuel gauge. If you seem to go through a tank of gas too quickly in relation to miles traveled consider trying another brand or grade; an oil change or a tune-up.

• Check out sites such as www.gasbuddy.com to learn about cheap gas deals in your area. Many local news stations also feature “cheap gas,” or other sites with similar information.

• Avoid excessive accelerating, braking and idling. Experts agree that gas mileage is significantly decreased as speeds increase. Save gas and money by driving the speed limit and never any faster than 60 miles per hour. Rather than let your car sit running for several minutes, turn it off, you’ll use less gas.

• Map out your trip before you hit the road. Taking the scenic route can be great, but not when you are counting your gas dollars, Choose a service such as www.mapquest.com to help you find the shortest, most direct way to get to your destination.

Save Money on Gas

• If you are in the market for a car, check out sites like the automotive consumer guide or www.fuelecomony.gov for information on cars with the best and worst mileage before you buy.

• Monitor air conditioning usage. At speeds lower than 40 miles per hour, it can be more fuel efficient to roll down your windows.

• Empty your trunk. Heavy loads weigh down your car and reduce your gas mileage.

• Fuel up after sundown, you’ll get more gas for your dollar. Gas expands with heat and compresses with cold air.

• Consider car pooling. Car pooling is not a very attractive option for many of us as it limits our flexibility and privacy. Still for some, it can be a great option. And when we understand that car pooling can save hundreds of dollars annually and is kind to our environment, many more may be willing to give it a try.

We love our cars but gas prices have lately damped our affair a bit. Spend less on gas and enjoy your car more with a few tips that make every trip a little cheaper.

A particular credit union in Miami Florida gave away prepaid gas cards as a part of their refinance promotion. Check with your local credit union for similar offers.

Nicole Soltau is the President and Founder of http://CreditUnionRate.com
The Leading Credit Union Directory
Search, Find, Join.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Soltau

Save Money on Gas


Tuesday, June 13, 2006

30 Powerful Gas Saving Tips

30 Powerful Gas Saving Tips
By Kevin Miller

Did you know that Conoco Phillips made a record of $3 billion in the first quarter of this year because the price of gasoline has almost doubled over the past year. If everyone just used the 30 powerful gas savings methods contained within this article--consumers would have saved billions of dollars in gasoline cost.

Listed below under four categories are 30 effective methods of doing so... no need to buy expensive add-on equipment.

ENGINE WARM-UP

1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.

3. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

4. Avoid "revving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.

5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

HOW TO BUY GASOLINE

6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".

7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.

8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.

Gas Saving Tips
HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY

9. Exceeding 40 miles per hour forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 miles per hour give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 miles per hour and 70 miles per hour.

11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.

13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.

Gas Saving Tips
GENERAL ADVICE


16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on components, wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging" also demands additional fuel usage.

17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.

19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.

20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.

21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.

23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.

24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!

25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire pressures.

26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).

27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.

28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.

31. Install pressure regulator valve (sold in auto parts stores)... Use graphite motor oil... Beware of oil additives, regardless of advertising claims... Add Marvel Mystery Oil into gas fill-ups... Investigate fuel/water injection methods and products... combine short errands into one trip... Use special gas additives to prevent winter freezing of gas lines... convert your V8 engine over to a V4 - no special kits needed!!!

EXTRA TIP

Another way to save lots of money on gas is by going to http://freegas.mcs9.com and getting the free $500 gas card that they are giving away. The free $500 gas card is good at any Mobil, Exxon, or Shell gas station. I highly recommend that you get the free $500 gas card.

The author runs the site http://stateauctions.mcs9.com there you will find great every day deals on a huge variety of high quality vehicles, all makes and models available, and homes. Vehicles start as low as 90% off book value! You’ll also find homes for as low as $10,000.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Miller



Thursday, June 01, 2006

Increase Gas Mileage

Can You Afford To Increase Gas Mileage Of Your Car?

Yes you can! Increasing gas mileage of your car has never been easier; with all the gas saving products around to choose from, the fact is, you need none of them. This article will give you the background to start reaping the gas money you’ve been dreaming of…

Recent technology advancement in automotive industry has seen an upsurge in improving the fuel economy of our car engines and thus making them as efficient as they can be. Heavy investment has been poured in making the car engines as clean as possible, where exhaust emission is concerned, thus increasing the gas mileage capability of the car. This has created a new batch of vehicles with engines more fuel economical compared to engines of comparable size a decade or more ago.

We can’t deny that apart from the engines alone, electronics do play an important part on the quest to reach the best mileage cars available with better fuel economy. However, with the ever going onslaught of constant and increasing fuel hike, there’s no way that advances made in producing more engines with higher fuel efficiency may far exceeds with the increasing cost of gas.

Much budget and investment have been spent on research and development of better car engines with best fuel economy, which in the end may take years to recoup the cost of initial investment alone: let alone the vast manpower needed for these arduous tasks. Thus, where corners can be cut, manufacturers will, although it must be emphasized that this will not be done at the expense of the safety of the driver, passengers and other road-users.

But are there additions that may be fitted with vehicles to improve fuel economy and make them even more fuel-efficient?

Well, the good news is that there are loads and loads of gas saving devices in the open market and can help improve fuel mileage or increase gas mileage of your car and will work on your car like a charm, so to speak. These products claim to save money on gas and increase fuel efficiency of your car. But the bad news is, most of the so-called gas saving devices that purportedly claim to increase gas mileage of your car are nothing but are subject to advertising hype and thus are a waste of your time.

Hence, there are several ways you need learn to use when it comes to increasing fuel mileage of your car.
1) Electronic Ignition Systems
2) Fuel Catalysts
3) Free-Flow Air Filters
4) Tire Inflation
5) Other Products

Electronic Ignition Systems
This class of accessories really applies to the older vehicles that still run on the traditional contact breaker systems. Those who wish to keep vintage vehicles on the road will find that fitting a contact-less ignition system is the way to go.

Although it is not strictly a fuel-saving device, it ensures that the vehicle stays in tune and retains the fuel economy that a freshly-installed contact breaker system would provide. Minimal maintenance and consistent fuel economy result in increased gas mileage and fuel savings of your car.

Fuel Catalysts
Due to the recent increases in fuel prices, we’ve been getting a lot of response on this method. Suffice to say, fuel catalysts are elements you would put on your gas tank to speeds up the combustion process. This in the end will improve your car fuel efficiency and improve your gas mileage.

Some catalysts can simply be dropped into the fuel tank, while there are some that require to be installed somewhere along the fuel line, between the tank and engine.

A catalyst is a chemical, substance or compound that accelerates a chemical reaction. But it remains unchanged and is not used up during the process. When a catalyst is installed along the fuel system, it speeds up the combustion process, rendering it more complete, and allows for the complete release of energy from fuel combusted.

Increase Gas Mileage

Installation is pretty straightforward and one-off affair. You’ll recover your initial investment spent on catalyst within a short period of time, from the increased gas mileage savings of your car. Catalysts may also be used for the entire life of the vehicle, and are transferable from one vehicle to another.

The more popular fuel catalysts are made of compounds of tin and other precious metals, but the actual formulation remains a commercial secret. They claim to promote smoother engine operation, cleaner exhaust emissions and can increase fuel mileage savings of up to 8%.

Free-Flow Air Filters
Grouped in the same category as the contactless ignition systems, free-flow air filters offer no gas mileage savings over a brand new item. Most filter elements are washable, and can be used over thousands of kilometers. After that, you may need to replace the air filter on regularly basis. According to the report on Increasing Gas Mileage, studies have shown that replacing a clogged air filter can improve the mileage that you get with your car as much as 10%.

Tire Inflation
Oxygen in compressed air permeates through the wall of the tire, and inflation pressure is reduced over time. In the process, oxygen oxidizes the rubber compounds in the tire, causing under inflation and deteriorated rubber. Dry nitrogen will can prevent auto-ignition; it will not corrode rims, and can will help the tire to run cooler, resulting in longer tread life. So tire replacement costs go down.

Other Products
Fuel and lubricating oil additives claim to lower internal engine friction drag and improve combustion respectively. Some may work and some may fail considerably. It is important that the device fitted or the additive used does not destroy the catalytic converter. Neither it should void your new vehicle warranty.

At last, increasing your car gas mileage and doing every bit to save money on gas does not require rocket science to understand its importance. No doubt there are no products ever produced by man that could save you thousands of dollars in gas money, but every little penny you would save from every drop of gas goes a long way.

A little step each day will lead to success so you should really start now. Get all the tips and techniques and learn how to get extra mileage when you subscribe to ExtraGasMileage newsletters at Gas Mileage Tactics Good luck in your quest for extra gas mileage!

About the Author
Sunny Tan is the author of "Gas Mileage Tactics", the ULTIMATE Gas mileage saving resources consist of many top notch tips and tricks the PRO drivers use. Topics include good driving techniques attitude, best adopted practice, and even using the Internet to find the best gas stations available in your town.

Pick up YOUR copy of this ground-breaking ebook with absolutely NO RISK at Gas Mileage Tactics and start to increase gas mileage of your car now...