Welcome back friends! It’s your pal Patrick James, and I’m here today to talk about getting the best bang for your buck at the pump. Yeah, gas prices suck, but unless you’re willing to give up your ride for one of those sweet EVs I talked about, you’re going to have to keep dealing with fill ups. In the meantime, check these things you can do to make sure that your vehicle is making the most of those pricy gallons.
USE THE RIGHT OIL
Gone are the days of throwing whatever you have a can of into your engine and calling it a day. Every car on the road today needs something specific to perform at its best. The right weight and grade should be listed in your owner’s manual.
WATCH YOUR WEIGHT
The heavier the car, the more gas it’s going to burn – its just science, literally. You can’t do much about the weight of your actual car besides buying something lighter, but you can limit how much you’re carrying on the regular to save a bit.
SMOOTH LIKE BUTTER
Keeping your driving at a constant speed as much as possible is great for fuel economy. The less stop and go, the better. No hard acceleration or braking. Gridlock sucks for a lot of reasons, and blowing through that expensive tank of gas you just put in is one of them.
CHECK YOUR TIRES
Underinflated tires may not worry you much, but they’ll shave miles off your tank, and are unsafe, too! Make sure they’re inflated to the recommended PSI – it’s usually printed right on the tire or inside your driver’s side door. This should also help lengthen the life of your tires.
FOLLOW THE SPEED LIMIT
This one hurts, but most cars’ fuel efficiency drops off after about 60mph. I love letting Sally run on the open road, but the exhilaration of pushing her to her limits goes away when she gets thirsty again.
LAY OFF THE AC
This one hurts more! In Florida, AC is a way of life, but it’s not great for the life of your latest tank. Unless you’re cruising down the highway, consider rolling down the windows and feeling the wind in your hair, like God intended.
What do you guys think? Will these tips strip the joy out of your next ride, or will the cash you save at the pump be worth it? Leave a comment and let me know!
Till next time, stay tuned up!
Patrick James