18 Tips for Saving Money on Gasoline

Gas prices are on the rise again!  Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money as we approach summer gas prices.
1. Keep your car tuned up.  Cars in poor running condition use more gasoline.
2. Plan trips well to avoid unnecessary driving.
3. When you run your air conditioner you get much worse gas mileage.  Use your air conditioner sparingly.  If you have a lower setting, use it.  Turn it on until the car gets cool, then turn it off and let the fan circulate the cool air.  Never run your air conditioner with your windows open!
4. Keep your windows closed when traveling at high speeds.  Open windows cause additional drag and lower your gas mileage.  At high speeds, an open window can use more gas than many air conditioners (especially if they are on a low setting).

5. Check your tire pressure.  Over-inflated tires can actually reduce your fuel efficiency, so don't overfill.
6. If at all possible, change your work start time to avoid gridlock.  Stop and go traffic hurts your gas mileage.
7. Take unneeded items out of the car.  You don't need to carry snow chains around with you in the summertime.  Just make sure to put them back in when winter comes around.
8. Try not to idle your engine for long periods of time.  If you are stuck in traffic and you don't think you are going to go anywhere in the next five minutes, you may want to turn your car off.
9. You no longer need to warm your car up for long periods of time, especially new cars.  New cars are made to run when cold.
10. Don't travel at fast speeds in low gears unless you need the compression to slow down.
11. Try to drive the speed limit.
12. Try to accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light.  It's not a competition with the driver in the lane next to you.  The fastest person through the intersection just gets to spend more on gas.
13. No need to buy the highest priced gasoline.  Most cars are built to run on regular unleaded.  Check you owners manual or consult a mechanic.  I have had many tell me that the more expensive gas is a waste of money.
14. Revving the engine needlessly wastes gas.  There is no need to rev before you turn your vehicle off.
15. If at all possible, try to arrange car pools with co-workers to share the cost of commuting to work.
16. Walk, bike or run to your intended location whenever possible.
17. When the price is sky high, don't fill up.  Wait for the price to go down before you fill up your tank.  Filling up your tank when the price is peaking lets gas companies know that you are willing to pay ridiculous prices for gasoline.
18. And last, the biggest and most important step towards saving money on gas is always try to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage.  The difference between 20 miles-per-gallon and 40 miles-per-gallon is huge.
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About The Author

Fisher Swanson is a regular contributer to The ThriftyFun.com News. ThriftyFun publishes information about thrifty living. Send an email to thriftyfunnews-on@thriftyfun.com to subscribe to The ThriftyFun.com News.
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Buying A Used Car - The Wise Way!

I have always purchased my cars used. And each time, I got a great deal. Don't think I counted on luck, though - no siree. There are a few "musts" for making sure you don't end up drinking "lemon"-ade.
Spending a little time now may save you serious money later. Check Consumer Reports on the safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but don't ignore safety.
Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over. While you're there, ask what cars they have to repair most often. Take heed. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing - just to be safe.

Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs. Be sure the report includes the vehicle’s make, model and VIN. Go over it with a fine-toothed comb and make sure you understand every item. If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate the price of the vehicle.
Are you going to purchase from an individual?
Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used Car Rule and don’t have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you can use the Guide’s list of an auto’s major systems as a shopping tool. You also can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by your mechanic. If he/she says no... beware. No matter how nice the car appears, something fishy is going on.
Now, a private sale likely will be on an "as is" basis, unless your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to live up to the contract. The car also may be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty or a separately purchased service contract. But that doesn't mean that the warranty and service contract are transferable. Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car, ask if it's still under warranty or service contract, and review that baby carefully.
Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle inspection before a sale is made. That's not always the case, though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state Attorney General's office or a local consumer protection agency. Hey, it's just a phone call. And it could save you a real headache later!
Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker, or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can about the car:
Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used car. My favorite book that I've used several times is How to Buy and Maintain a Used Car by Brad Crouch.
Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it didn't work. If you're shopping in the summer, don't forget to check the heater. And if it's cold as ice outside, still turn that air on full blast and make sure it works!
Test drive the car under varied road conditions—on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
Ask for the car’s maintenance record. If the owner doesn’t have copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done. They may share their files with you.
Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is unfamiliar with the car’s history.
Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.
There you go. Do your homework, and it's very likely that, like me, you'll find yourself buying used every time!


About The Author

Ryan Larson
This article courtesy of http://www.auto-warranty-shopper.com/
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