Skyrocketing Gas Prices Draining Your Coffers?  Try These 8 Counterintuitive Tips to Save on Fuel

1. Fill up your tank when it’s cold outside.
When it’s colder out, gasoline is more dense. Since gas stations charge you by volume and not by density, you can actually get more gas for your dollar when it’s colder outside. True fact.
2. Roll up those windows.
Driving with the windows down can cause serious wind resistance – drag can lead to a 10% reduction in efficiency or more. Of course, if you blast the AC instead of rolling down the windows, you will use up fuel to compensate. In an ideal world, you’d use neither AC nor leave the windows open.

3. Drive safely, steadily, and slowly.
Avoid rapidly accelerating, revving your engine, driving significantly above the speed limit, driving in an inappropriate gear (if you have a manual transmission), starting and stopping your engine for no reason, and driving without tuning up your car on a regular basis (per your manufacturers’ instructions). Also, avoid tailgating – not only because tailgating is a safety risk, but also because, if you slam on the brakes to avoid a collision, you will use up more fuel.
4. Plan out your route.
It should go without saying that the shortest distance between any two points is a straight line. If you spend an inordinate amount of time in traffic, or if you take “the long way home,” odds are good that you will burn up way more fuel than optimal.
5. Get the right gas for your vehicle and driving habits.
Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest brand. After all, you’re looking to “win” financially not just over the short-term, but also over the long-term. If you put in the wrong fuel mixture for your car, over time this will wear down your engine and potentially cause other mechanical problems. Your lifetime car costs – including both repair and gas costs – will be elevated.
6. Stay off of dirt roads.

Accordingly to some studies, driving on gravel or dirt can reduce your fuel efficiency by as much as 30% or more.
7. Don’t overfill your tank.

8. Accelerate into hills

Obviously, you don’t want to be reckless. But if you notice an incline coming up, accelerate before you start climbing up the hill, as this is a more fuel efficient way of driving.

Connect with companies you trust to service and provide parts for your car. If you live in the Bay Area, look to Rock and Roll Auto Recycling (www.rockandrollautoparts.com). Whether you need a replacement auto or truck part, or you are in the market for accessories such as radiators, alternators, fuel injectors, shocks, and disk brakes, Rock and Roll will provide you with the quality service, professional care, and genuine expertise you deserve.

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