Consumer Services

Fuel Frugal Tips to Help You Save Money

Americans are already feeling the impact of rising gas prices at the pump.  The political turmoil in Libya is pushing the price of oil up and experts say there is still fear of supply disruption from crude-oil producing areas of the Middle East.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. average retail price of regular gasoline gained more than three (3) cents per gallon last week, and has increased (19) cents since last month.  At $3.65 per gallon, the average price of gasoline is $0.85 per gallon higher than last year during this time.
While we can't control the price of fuel, we can do a few things to help us save money. Below are a few tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that may help ease the burden of rising fuel prices.

• Stay within speed limit:  Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 miles per hour (MPH).
• Avoid unnecessary idling:  If you anticipate waiting inside the car, turn off the engine.   A running engine wastes fuel and pollutes the air.
• Keep your engine tuned: Tuning your engine according to your car's manual can increase mileage by an average of four (4) percent.
• Change your oil: Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine.  You can improve your gas mileage by using the grade of motor oil indicated in your owner's manual and changing it according to schedule.  In addition, motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned:  Keeping your tires inflated to the proper measure, can increase gas mileage up to three (3) percent.  The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner's manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall.
• Follow the recommendations listed in your owner's manual for the right octane level for your car:  For most cars, the recommended gas is regular octane. Using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit - and costs you at the pump. Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gas is a waste of money. Looking for more information on selecting the right octane level for your car? See The Low-Down on High Octane Gasoline.
• Clean out your trunk:  An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce fuel economy by up to two (2) percent.
• Search for gas prices:  Check gas prices in your area by loggin on to www.gasbuddy.com and entering your city, state, and zip code.
• Be skeptical of gadgets that promise to improve your gas mileage. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tested over 100 supposed gas-saving devices - including "mixture enhancers" and fuel line magnets - and found that very few provided any fuel economy benefits. Those devices that did work provided only a slight improvement in gas mileage. In fact, some products may even damage your car's engine or cause a substantial increase in exhaust emissions. For a full list of tested products, visit www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/reports.htm.
  
  

Back to Top Page Last Edited: Thu Jul 21, 2011 11:52:37 AM