Filling up our cars has become much more expensive this year, with national average gas prices hitting the $4-per-gallon mark on Monday, pushed up by supply disruption as the Russian war in Ukraine entered its second week.
“Forget the $4 per gallon mark, the nation will soon set new all-time record highs and we could push closer to a national average of $4.50,” said GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan, the Associated Press reported. “We’ve never been in this situation before, with this level of uncertainty. … Americans will be feeling the pain of the rise in prices for quite some time.”
On Tuesday, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gas in Georgia is $4.06, according to AAA, up about $1.47 compared to one year ago.
So, if you’re concerned about how much you’re paying at the pump, here are five ways to save money:
Engage in regular maintenance
When it comes to self-care, don’t forget to include your vehicle.
“Taking care of your car is deeply important to the longevity and health of your car, but also your bank account. Regular maintenance will mean better gas mileage in the long run, because your car is running in optimal shape, and not limping along the road, begging for oil,” Julie Bausch, managing editor of National Public Radio’s program “Car Talk”, told Parents Magazine.
Don’t idle
Vehicles in the U.S. burn more than 6 billion gallons of fuel without even moving, according to the Alternative Fuels Data Center. Idling passenger vehicles account for about half of that. So unless it’s the middle of winter or an emergency, try not to idle.
Shop around for the best price
Although you may not be able to control gas prices, there are numerous ways to cut costs. Enroll in a fuel savings program at your favorite gas station, get a gas credit card, fill up at warehouse stores like Costco and keep an eye on gas pricing trends.
“Keep watch on these trends and fill up at the best time, in the best area for your budget. Fill up on Mondays, if you can. And not next to a big airport where everyone else is refueling their rental car before turning them in,” Bausch said.
Slow down
Driving at a reasonable speed is not only safer, but it also saves gas. While the optimal fuel economy speed for each vehicle varies slightly, once you pass around 55 mph, your gas mileage begins to drop.
“Drivers can save some fuel by setting their cruise control to a lower speed to help preserve fuel,” CarGurus’ deputy editor Matt Smith told Parents Magazine. “After all, on a 30-minute commute, driving 75 miles per hour rather than 65 saves a little less than four minutes — not a significant amount of time.”
Drive less often
From walking to biking to carpooling to public transportation, there are lots of ways to reduce your total mileage.
And if you absolutely must use your car, combine multiple trips into one.
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