Fuel Saving Tips as Annoying and Necessary as Dentist Appointments

Taking on those healthy habits for saving fuel and lowering your gas bills is kind of like what they recommend to you during dentist office visits. You need to do a few things regularly or you'll regret it later. As gas prices go up nearly each and every day, the stress level increases when pump prices are viewed. So, here are a few from TrueCar.com...

Drive Smoother: Aggressive driving has an impact on how much fuel you consume. When driving, pushing the gas pedal hard or slamming the brakes will lower your average fuel economy. Aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and five percent around town.

Slow Down: Most vehicles get the most amount of fuel efficiency when driving between 45 and 55 miles per hour. The Department of Energy (DOE) figures that for every five miles you drive going in excess of 60 mph, you could lose somewhere between seven to 23 percent of fuel efficiency.

Reduce Idling: Turn off your engine if you're waiting for more than 20 seconds. Idling wastes more gas than turning off your engine and restarting it. 

 
Use Premium Fuel Only When Needed: Regular unleaded fuel won't hurt most vehicles even if premium unleaded fuel is required. 

 
Shop for Gas: Web sites like GasBuddy.com and certain GPS devices can help you search for the lowest gas price and save you the hassle of burning more fuel while looking for cheaper gas.

Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Car: Buying a new car that is more fuel efficient, such as a hybrid or diesel vehicle, makes good financial sense as gas prices continue to rise.