Given the trending of gas prices toward ever-higher dollar amounts, many people are using more and more of their vacation budget on gas. While no one seems to be able to make gas cheap again, there are still some things that you can do to help save on gas this upcoming vacation season.
Below are six helpful tips to help you save on the gas!
Tip #1 – Slow Up, Speed Down
When you are on the road, going slowly up hills and more quickly downhill is said to save fuel. This is because your car has to work much harder going uphill (especially if you are using air conditioning and have luggage and multiple passengers), whereas gravity is your friend going downhill.
And speaking of speed, observing the speed limit and not speeding also saves gas. It’s safer, too.
Tip #2 – Know When to Turn Off the AC
While traveling in the heat without air conditioning can be downright dangerous, there are times when you can turn it off to save fuel. For example, turning off the AC when driving uphill can reduce the power pull on your engine by quite a bit, sources say. Of course, you can leave the fans going and the residual cooling effect lasts for a few minutes. When you’re on the level or going downhill, turn the AC back on.
Tip #3 – Check Your Tires
If your tires are worn be sure to have them rotated before your trip. If they are very worn, it is probably best to get them replaced. Proper air pressure is said to be very important, too – look at the inside of the driver’s side door if you are unsure as to your tires’ PSI (pounds per square inch). Adding too much or too little air can both be a problem, so if you are in doubt, have your mechanic do it.
Tip #4 – A Vehicle Check-up
Before you head off on your vacation be sure to have your vehicle looked over. Make sure everything is running as efficiently as possible. Efficiency in your engine means greater efficiency on fuel usage. Have the oil changed, get a “tune up” if needed, and have all the fluids checked in addition to any necessary work on the tires.
Tip #5 – Travel Light
As mentioned above, a lot of excess cargo can really draw on the engine’s power. It’s said that every 100 pounds added to your car’s weight will decrease the gas mileage by 1 percent. So try to be careful to use lightweight baggage carriers (such as duffle bags rather than heavy suitcases), and only pack necessities.
Tip #6 – Pay Attention To How You Drive
When you hit your accelerator pedal, that is when your car is using the most gas. So try to avoid the speed up, brake fast pattern that so many drivers fall into. Instead, try to coast your vehicle at a steady speed. Keep the ride as smooth as possible to save on fuel.
Thanks for these great tips! Road trips are great, but the cost of gas can just kill your pocket book.
These are some really great tips! My family takes lots of car trips in the summer!
These are all great tips! I always floor it when I am going up hills 😉
These are great tips. We usually try to stay local for our vacations. I would like to do a road trip to Texas to see my little sister. I will let my husband drive I tend to have lead in my foot.
Great road trip tips! I forgot to check my tires before a road trip once. Never again.
I definitely need to check my tires more often. I had a car checkup and they found holes worn into them. Dangerous!
These are all great tips, but watching your driving is the biggie for me. If you’re constantly gunning it, throwing on the brakes, and then gunning it again, you’re burning major gas.
All of these are great tips. I have On Star and they send me an email when my car needs attention. I also get notices on my radio dash panel. It will tell me when my air needs tires too.
These are all awesome tips and I am happy that we already do most of these things prior to our road trips. Gas is so expensive these days that every penny counts.
These are fantastic tips for saving gas. I need to empty out the back of my SUV, I’m carrying WAY too much stuff that I don’t need, I’ve got to lighten up.
We are just starting our spring break. SInce I don’t have a ton planned, I’m thinking we’ll take a little road trip. These tips are great for saving a little money.
Gas prices have low in Kansas City lately. Too bad I am not going on vacation any time soon.
Awesome tips. Right on to save some money.
Great to know! We don’t have a vehicle, which is sometimes a good and bad thing but saving on gas would be super important!
I know I am a bad driver so I am probably wasting a ton of gas. These are all great tips though, I’ll need to pay more attention!
We are planning to hit the road on a family road trip this year. These are so helpful, thanks!
I have always obeyed the speed limit. Not just because it’s the law, but because it does save gas 🙂
Gas prices had come way down this year. Now it seems that they are on their way back up. These tips are becoming more and more important!
These are some great tips. Gas prices were super low there for a while, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to last.
Love how useful these tips are. I especially found the air conditioning tip helpful.
Super great tips on traveling and saving gas! I heard tires were a major one so thanks for shedding more light on that!
We take a few road trips during the summer and with the gas prices starting to go up again, these tips will be quite useful. Thanks!
I didn’t know about the AC and going uphill! I definitely check tire pressure before any big trip
These are great tips for saving gas this summer. I am terrible for running my air conditioner. I will be having my spring checkup done on my car soon.
I’ve always known that low tire pressure can result in wasting gas, which doesn’t seem to relate but it does. I always make sure my tired are where they are supposed to be!
We are planning a road trip, and the tips will be useful. Thanks for sharing
Very useful and helpful tips for saving gas, when we take a road trip we always get the car checked before leaving, we also do a lot of cruise control too.