Yes indeed, summer is coming (Well, eventually), however, those high gas prices associated with summer are here already – heck, just yesterday in BC Canada the price of gas at the pump shot up 20 cents a liter in one shot (that’s about 75 cents a gallon in one whack folks) and there’s no signs of things letting up. Currently Canadians are paying what equates to about $5.25 per gallon of gas and that will likely blow past $6 a gallon (or $1.60 a liter) by summer – I bet that hybrid Prius is looking really good to you right now!
But, there are some things you can do… most notably, get a bike, walk more, use public transit, car pool, map your route first, combine trips and reduce the need for multiple trips, shop in your community etc… there really are many solutions that make sense and simply require a change of habit by the user. Heck, 2 years ago I dumped the Ford Expedition in favor of a 96 Mazda 626 saving me hundreds of $$ per month and making me feel much better also for having such a cheap and reliable unit to get me around! Oh, and it runs like a dream and will be eligible for collectors plates soon ;0)
And so, some tips today from trucar.com on how you can reduce your fuel consumption:
- Don’t Drive Aggressively: Aggressive driving, such as, pushing the gas pedal hard or slamming the brakes will lower your average fuel economy by 33 percent on the highway and five percent around town. For more information on gas-saving tips, visit “10 Ways to Save Money on Gas.”
- Complete Regular Maintenance: A vehicle that has its oil changed and a new air filter installed, when needed, can help consume less gas. For more information visit “Is Your Call Well Maintained? It Can Save You Money on Gas.”
- Use Premium Fuel Only When Needed: For most vehicles, even if premium fuel is required, you can fill up with regular gas. But if your engine starts to knock or ping using regular gas, then a higher-octane rating is required for your vehicle. For more information, see “Five Facts of Using Premium vs. Regular Gas.”
- Shop for Gas Or Navigate The Roads Better Using Your Phone: iPhone and Android applications like GasBuddy.com or AAA’s TripTik or GPS applications like Waze can help you search for the lowest gas prices or best routes to steer clear of traffic jams. Visit TrueCar.com’s “Ten Apps for Saving Money on Gas” for more information.
For more fuel-economy tips, visit the Fuel Economy section at the TrueCar.com Truth Blog.