For every five mph over 50 mph that you drive, you are paying an additional $0.22 per gallon on gas.<\/strong><\/p>\nUsing an example, let\u2019s say you drive at 75 mph.<\/p>\n
That is 25 mph more than the recommended speed, meaning you are paying an additional $1.10 per gallon.<\/p>\n
With the price of gas at $3, this means you are effectively paying $4.10 every time you fill up.<\/p>\n
I realize that in some cases, driving 50 mph is not possible because of the flow of traffic.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can still improve fuel consumption in these cases by slowing down from 75 mph to 65 mph.<\/p>\n
Paying attention to the posted speed limit is a good gauge for how fast you should be driving.\u00a0<\/p>\n
#18. Use Cruise Control<\/h3>\n Next time you go for a long drive, consider setting the cruise control.<\/p>\n
When your vehicle maintains a constant speed, you improve your gas mileage compared to you controlling the speed.<\/p>\n
This is because you are unlikely to be able to maintain a constant speed.<\/p>\n
As you drive, your foot constantly pushes harder or lighter on the gas pedal.<\/p>\n
And while this might not seem like a big deal, studies show it can reduce consumption by 5-7%.<\/p>\n
There are caveats, however.<\/p>\n
Cruise control is best when driving on mostly flat highways or highways where you go uphill or downhill for a prolonged period.<\/p>\n
If you are driving on hilly terrain, constantly going up and down, you are better off taking control yourself.<\/p>\n
In this driving environment, you want to allow your vehicle to slow down when going up hills by reducing the pressure on the gas pedal.<\/p>\n
When going down hills, also take your foot off the gas and allow the car\u2019s momentum to increase your speed.<\/p>\n
I have a Chrysler Pacifica and found that on my main highway drive on hilly terrain, I achieved better fuel economy than when I set my cruise control.<\/p>\n
#19. Reduce Weight As Much As Possible<\/h3>\n There is a law of physics that says force equals mass times acceleration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Your car consumes more gas when it needs more power.<\/p>\n
And it needs more energy when there is excess weight.<\/p>\n
So take an hour this weekend and clean your trunk and back seat of everything you don\u2019t need.<\/p>\n
Doing so will instantly improve your gas mileage.<\/p>\n
#20. Use Aerodynamics To Improve Fuel Efficiency<\/h3>\n Car manufacturers spend tens of thousands of dollars in research to improve the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The shape of the car is because of this research.<\/p>\n
When you add things like roof racks and trunk spoilers, you reduce the efficiency of your vehicle as the air cannot flow as smoothly around it.<\/p>\n
More wind resistance means your car has to work harder to move, which means you spend more on gas.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhile you need a bike rack or roof rack for your big family vacation, removing these items is critical once your trip is over.<\/p>\n
It might be a hassle to have to remove them, but the convenience of keeping them installed costs you a fortune in the long run.<\/p>\n
#21. Use Air Conditioning<\/h3>\n There has been great debate over the years as to whether using the air conditioner or rolling down your windows saves money.<\/p>\n
The thinking was that rolling your windows down was the smarter option since the air conditioner uses gas.<\/p>\n
If you have an older car, chances are keeping your windows down will result in better fuel economy.<\/p>\n
However, using AC is the smarter choice if you have a modern car.<\/p>\n
First, as mentioned above, car manufacturers spend money to reduce drag.<\/p>\n
When your windows are open, you increase drag, resulting in poor fuel mileage at highway speeds.<\/p>\n
Second, climate control systems today are advanced.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You set a temperature, and the system cycles on and off based on that number.<\/p>\n
In the past, when you put the AC on ice cold at full blast, it stayed there until you turned it down.<\/p>\n
When you set the temperature at 65 degrees in a newer car, it turns off or down once it reaches that temperature.<\/p>\n
So if you have a newer car, use the air conditioning to save gas.<\/p>\n
#22. Pay With Cash<\/h3>\nPhoto Credit: Deposit Photos.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNext time you buy gas, see if the gas station offers a discount when you pay cash.<\/p>\n
This discount can amount to $0.05 or more per gallon.<\/p>\n
Before you fill up, be sure to ask if they offer a cash discount.<\/p>\n
On a 10-gallon fill-up, that savings comes to $0.50. If you get gas weekly for a year, you save $26.<\/p>\n
Combine this with some of the other tips listed, and these savings add up to even more.<\/p>\n
#23. Use A Cash Back Rewards Credit Card<\/h3>\n If paying in cash is too much trouble, there is another option.<\/p>\n
You can use a cash back credit card.<\/p>\n
The one I use gets me a 3% reward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For every dollar I spend on gas, I save $0.03.<\/p>\n
My average fill-up is around $65, so I save $1.95 each time using my credit card to pay.<\/p>\n
You can click the link below to find the best card to use on gas purchases.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.moneysmartguides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Save-Money-on-Gas-Pin-150x150.png\"\/)
![](\"https:\/\/www.moneysmartguides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Save-Money-on-Gas-Pin-150x150.png\")
<\/div>\n