ilist4free.com Automobile Resources for Canadians: Tips for saving money on Gas

Gas prices are pretty high. Here are some tips to help you conserve gas and save money.

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.

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. You no longer need to warm your car up for long periods of time, especially new cars. Driving slowly for the first few minutes on a cold day without a warm up is fine.

9. Try to drive the speed limit.

10. Try to accelerate slowly when leaving the stop light.

11. 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.

12. Revving the engine needlessly wastes gas. There is no need to rev before you turn your vehicle off.

13. If at all possible, try to arrange car pools with co-workers to share the cost of commuting to work.

14. Walk, bike or run to your intended location whenever possible.

15. 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.

16. And last, the biggest and most important step towards saving money on gas is always try to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage.