Pumping Up the Savings: Less Money, More Miles

By Heather Hill, The Sun, Lowell, Mass.

Feb. 11–Heather Hill’s column on consumer issues, finance and useful news appears each Monday in The Sun. Her daily online column can be found at www.lowellsun.com under the heading “Heather Help Us.”

While prices at the pump are clearly on the decline, don’t get too comfortable. Experts predict that we could very well hit an all-time high this spring. Hybrid and grease cars can be a great solution, but there are easier changes and maintenance tips you can employ right now to save cash on future fill-ups. Here’s how:

–Fill up during the coolest part of the day. During the early morning and evening, gas is most dense and you’ll lose less of it through evaporation. In addition, you’re charged for the volume of gas you pump, not its density.

–Take advantage of gas rebate cards, which can return between 3 percent and 5 percent on your purchases. If you spend $40 each week on gas, this can add up to $100 annual savings.

–Choose routes wisely. The shortest distance between A and B may not be the most efficient if

you’ll have frequent stops. However, don’t go too far off the beaten path — dirt and gravel roads can reduce your fuel economy by as much as 30 percent.

–Tighten the gas cap by following the “three click rule.” It is estimated that loose gas caps cause up to 147 millions gallons of gas to evaporate each year. If it’s not fitting properly, the small investment in a new one is well worth it.

–It can be a hard habit to break, but avoid running on empty. Most cars are less efficient when gas levels dip below 1/8 of a tank.

–Fill up on Tuesdays or Wednesdays if possible — prices are usually lower mid-week. Be mindful of gas stations positioned on, or right off, the highway as they’re usually more expensive. However, a busy gas station is better than a remote one where gas can sit, become contaminated, and lose its efficiency.

–What you’re carrying can hurt you. An extra 100 lbs. can decrease your fuel efficiency by 2 percent. When you do need to haul, store items in the trunk rather than on the roof. You’ll avoid drag, which results in reduced mileage efficiency.

–Check the tires. In addition to substantially decreasing your miles per gallon — as much as 25 percent — underinflated tires may reduce their life by up to 15 percent.

–Sudden stops and starts are a big waste of gas, whereas cruise control will help conserve. As much as you may hate to do it, slow down. Driving at 55 mph vs. 65 or 70 can save you up to 2 miles per gallon. And avoid unnecessary idling — it can waste up to a quart of gas in just 15 minutes.

–Check the manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to the right type of oil and tune-up schedules. A properly tuned engine can increase gas mileage by as much as 4 percent; replacing a dirty air filter can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent. But unless the manufacturer requires high-octane fuel, there’s no benefit.

–If you have a garage, use it. Storing you car inside during winter will keep it warmer and you’ll need less time to warm it up prior to driving. In the summer it’s just the reverse — you’ll need less A/C to cool the car down. And speaking of air conditioning, use it only when you truly need it — it can lower fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.

–Plan ahead and scope it out online. Several sites, including www.fueleconomy.gov and www.gasbuddy.com will search for the cheapest gas within a desired radius of your zip code.

For more tips and information, visit www.fueleconomy.gov/

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