AAA Arizona - News & Safety

Here are some tips to help you reduce the amount of gas you use. If you are already following these tips, you are probably getting the best gas mileage your car can deliver.

Carpool, ride the bus, bike, or walk whenever you can. Remember, carpooling just one day a week could reduce your gasoline consumption by as much as 20 percent.
Easy does it. You might enjoy flooring it at a stoplight, but you’re wasting gas and putting more strain on your car. It’s also safer to accelerate slowly. This also helps you avoid red-light runners.
Be a smooth driver. Abrupt stops aren’t great for your car or your car’s fuel efficiency. Letting your car coast to a stop is a good way to improve your gas mileage.
Follow the speed limit. Driving any faster may get you where you want to go in less time, but it also means more trips to the gas pump. Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving 70 mph instead of 55 mph will lower your fuel economy by 17 percent.
Avoid rush hour. Stop and go traffic is bad for your car’s mileage. If possible, stagger your work hours to avoid rush hour.
Combine trips. You can save on fuel and cut down on wear and tear by choosing the shortest route to your destination and combining short trips whenever possible.
Travel light – Less weight means better mileage. A heavier vehicle uses more gasoline.
Keep your windows closed. When traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10 percent.
Avoid tailgating. The driver in front of you is unpredictable. Following too closely is not only unsafe, but will reduce your fuel economy as you try to match the speed and acceleration patterns of the other vehicle.
Take care of your vehicle. A simple measure such as keeping tires properly inflated can increase gas mileage by as much as two percent.
Be a smart shopper when it comes to filling up your gasoline tank:
Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".Buy regular grade gasoline. Save money. Don’t buy premium grade gasoline if your vehicle doesn’t require it.
Find the cheapest gas. Visit www.aaa.com/fuelfinder to locate the station with the cheapest gas in your neighborhood or along your route to work or home.