Tips to help you drive more efficiently:
Speed, maintenance, and
several other factors play a daily role in the cost of having a car. Your
behavior can not only cost you more, but can put you at risk. Below are
some easy tips to reduce your costs, and to help make sure you get safely from
point A to point B.
- Observing the speed limit. Many of us just completely ignore this,
but maybe you won't when you know how much it cost. Let's say the the
price of gas costs $3.00 per gallon. If the speed limit is 65mph and
you drive 80 you gas costs you about $3.60 a gallon. Just got to drive
fast on the highway? Try at least slowing down on city streets.
This is your most likely place to get into an accident anyhow. Rule of
thumb, add about 20 cents for every 5mph over the speed limit.
- Allow space between yourself and the car ahead of you. Besides being
a major safety issue you will spare your breaks, and save on gas.
- Keep vehicle well tuned. Most of understand the importance of
changing our oil every 3,000 miles, but it is important not to stop
there. Tires, belts, spark plugs, and even just keeping your car clean
will help maximize your gas mileage. Reports have found that most
drivers have at least one tire that is not at the proper pressure.
This is wasting billions of gallons nationwide.
- Remove excess weight. There is no reason to have 50 books sitting in
your trunk, or whatever people keep sitting in there for ages. Clean
your car.
- An air conditioner can account for as much as 15% of your fuel usage.
- Plan your trips in advance. Choose a logical routes, and avoid
routes with several busy intersections.
- Use your cruise control if practical.
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