How to Save On Gas

Last time I filled up at the pump I paid $4.71 per gallon! These inflated prices are hurting my wallet, and I'm sure they must be hurting yours as well, no matter where you may live.  These are a few tips I've learned to help me save money on gas, because in this economy, every penny counts.

1. Slow Down - You may hear it from everyone, but it's true. About 55 MPH is your car's optimum speed for gas savings, and rising above 65 will significantly hurt your wallet. In my experience if I drive 65 I get around 27-28 MPG on the freeway, compared to about 22-23 MPG at 75.
2. Smooth Acceleration and Coasting - This is a big key to how I save on gas. When you get a green light there's no need to gun it just to get to the next red. Take it easy and slowly accelerate, it will save you a lot. When you do come up to a red light, or stop sign, or slowing traffic, take your foot off the gas and try your best to coast to a stop. Remember, the less time your foot is on the accelerator the less gas is used, so letting friction slow you down as you approach a stop is much more efficient than accelerating and then braking to a stop. I tested this myself on a country road, first driving as I usually would, braking and accelerating around turns.  I got 23 MPG. Then I tried letting gravity and friction slow me down more as I went around turns, and using the accelerator a little less. The result? 28 MPG and the 30 minute journey only took me an extra 5 minutes.
3. Fill Up Strategies - As you see gas prices rise you may be tempted to put off buying gas. This is exactly the opposite of what you should do. While it is true gas prices may fall soon, it is likely that if they are rising you will need to fill up before they fall again, so fill up early when you see them rising to avoid even higher prices later.
4. Be Smart, Find Deals - I find that most local gas stations, ie. not Chevron or Shell, tend to charge me less. Find a good local gas station on your route that tends to have lower prices and make a point to fill up there. The extra 5 cents savings per gallon can really add up.
5. Use Gas Buddy - If you have an iPhone, or any smart phone for that matter, a useful app is called Gas Buddy. It will find you the nearest gas stations, and you can organize it by cheapest prices or closest to you. It's quite useful to get a feel for local prices when you are in an unfamiliar area, or when you're looking for the best deal in town.

I hope that some of these tips will help you save this summer! Keep checking back for more savings tips to help you get the most out of every dollar.