How To Conserve Gas Easily

In recent years the once simple task of fueling a vehicle has become an overwhelming burden in households around the world. The price per gallon of gas and the cost per barrel of crude oil continue to break all-time high records. While we may see slight relief from time to time with gas prices dropping a few cents during certain seasons or "off peak driving periods", it would be naive to think the price of a gallon of gas will ever drop to what it once was. In fact I think it would be safe to assume gas prices will continue to rise.

You may not be able to control gas prices, but you can control how much money you spend on gas. Conservation is the key, and with the tips below you can ease that pain at the pump and keep some cash in your wallet!

1. Walk Or Ride Your Bike As Often As Possible. Obviously if you are going on a family outing your Huffy probably won't accommodate all passengers. But maybe for that trip to the convenience store your bike or sneakers could do the trick. It's an easy way to conserve gas, and you'll get some exercise in the process. Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
2. Maintain Your Car. A poorly maintained vehicle can reduce your MPG (miles per gallon) by 15% or more. You can easily conserve gas and save money when your car runs properly. The goal is to eliminate any unnecessary stress on your car's engine, which would cause it to consume gas at a much faster rate. Regular service check-ups with a professional mechanic will diagnose and allow you to repair any faults that may be wasting gas.
3. Get Rid Of The Junk In The Trunk! 200 pounds of junk will reduce your mileage by one mile per gallon. Don't store unnecessary items in your car's trunk or the bed of your truck. The only items you should carry in your vehicle are items needed for the particular trip, and of course an emergency kit.
4. Avoid Long Warm-Ups. 30-60 seconds is more than enough time to warm your car up, even on the coolest of days. Believe it or not, the engine will actually warm up faster while you are driving. If you're warming your car up for more than a minute; the oil companies thank you!
5. Use Cruise Control. If your vehicle has a cruise control feature, you will want to utilize it on long distance trips and highway driving. Cruise control will conserve about 5 to 10 percent of gas.
6. Fuel-Up While It Is Cool. During hotter periods of the day, gas will be less dense, and will be more likely to evaporate as you pump it. Always gas-up early in the morning or late in the evening. It may seem minute, but hey -- we wanna conserve gas, right? Trust me, it all adds up to money in your pocket.
7. Don't Idle. When traffic is at a stand-still, shut your engine off. If you just need to run into the store real quick, shut your engine off! Idling wastes about a quart of gas every 15 minutes. Stop unnecessary idling to easily conserve gas and save more money.
8. Keep A Steady Pace. Avoid rapid acceleration and sudden stops. Both will put stress on your vehicle's engine leading to wasted gas. Driving at a steady pace will reduce the energy needed to run your car's engine, making it an easy way to conserve gas and save money.
9. Inspect Your Gas Cap. If your vehicle's gas cap does not fit snugly, you may be losing fuel. Gasoline obviously is a gas, and will find the slightest of openings to escape. If you have any doubt that your gas cap is providing an air-tight seal, it's time for a replacement. A new gas cap will only cost you about 3 or 4 bucks, and will allow you to conserve gas for years to come.
10. Use Your Car's Air Conditioner Wisely. A common misconception is that running your vehicle's air conditioner will waste gas. In fact it will conserve gas when used appropriately. If you're just cruising around town on a warm day, shutting off your A.C. and rolling down the windows will easily conserve gas and save you money. But if you're on a long road trip or highway driving, you may actually conserve more gas by running the A.C. The reason: wind resistance. If you're traveling at a high speed with your windows down, the incoming wind resistance will act as unnecessary weight, and cause your vehicle to consume more fuel. So this one is really a judgment you must make according to the situation.

With no end to gas hikes in clear sight, conservation is the key. By putting the above practices to use and developing good habits, you can actually lower your gas costs even as gasoline prices continue to rise!