There are few things drivers everywhere hate more than constantly rising gas prices. It seems like every time we turn around prices spike yet again. Unfortunately, we don't seem to be out of the woods yet, as AAA forecasted that the nationwide average gas price will actually hit its peak in April, hovering around a wallet-punching $3.55–$3.75 per gallon, according to a recent report. While you hunker down to weather the coming fuelpocalypse, here are a couple of tips to help keep more of your money in your pocket instead of your gas tank.
Stifle The Road Rage
All that aggressive driving and road rage isn't just costing you brownie points, it's also costing you money. Driving at erratic, inconsistent speeds and accelerating and braking too sharply can have a severe impact on your gas mileage, reducing your highway fuel efficiency by up to 33 percent, FuelEconomy.gov reported. Combat this by stopping gradually at lights rather than slamming your brakes, and easing off of the accelerator rather than putting the pedal to the metal. An Edmunds report indicated this will increase your car's coasting time and reduce the amount of fuel you inject into your engine, helping you get the most out of your gas tank. Also make sure you use your cruise control on the highways. It's one of the easiest things you can do to immediately save some cash on gas.
Keep Your Car Healthy
It stands to reason that the better care you take of your car, the better care it will take of your wallet down the road. Fortunately, you don't have to be a mechanic to reap some noticeable fuel economy benefits; keeping up with just a few preventative maintenance tasks can help save you dollars at the pump. Simple things like keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 3 percent, and you can even boost your mileage by making sure you're using the correct grade of motor oil, FuelEconomy.gov reported.
Shop For Efficiency
It should go without saying that in the gas mileage department, some cars are more efficient than others. Cars with better fuel efficiency might cost a bit more up front, but you'll be making that money back and then some when it comes time to fill up your tank. While it may not seem like there's a huge difference between a car that gets 20 miles to the gallon and one that gets 30, it adds up. That extra boost in fuel efficiency can save you on average $888 per year.
If you're in the market for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a knowledgeable and helpful sales team dedicated to helping you find the right used car for your lifestyle.