4 Easy Tips to Boost Gas Mileage and Save Money

Photo: Nicola Stratford / Istock

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Gas prices are spiking again, and have soared past a much-feared national average of $3 per gallon this month. Of course, the prices are riding the heels of record high crude oil prices, which have surpassed $90 a barrel.

So what are concerned consumers to do? Sure, you may have fantasies of getting a hybrid car, trading in your sedan for a bicycle or taking a train. You may be able to move a little farther in those directions, but let's face it, your kids still have to get to school, it's getting awfully cold to be on a two-wheeler, and politicians are still fighting over extending rail service. You need things you can do this afternoon to boost your gas mileage, and stretch your hard earned dollars even farther.

In a recent Green Hacks post by Ben Hewitt, TDG details extremely simple, idiot-proof ways you can make your gas money work harder for you. Why not get started now? If you're feeling ambitious, you might be able to put the pennies you save into a fund, and eventually earn enough to help you afford a hybrid down the road.

From Green Hacks:

Shade of green: Luscious lime

Items needed: Air compressor, four to six quarts synthetic oil, common sense, willing mechanic

Why this hack: Because you can't afford a Prius

1. Heart of the hack: This one's simple, folks. First, you gotta check tire pressure. Consider: There's a 1% loss of fuel efficiency for every 2 PSI under maximum pressure (usually in the 35-psi range). So if you're running at 26 psi, you're giving up about 5% fuel efficiency. Why, on my 1990 one-ton Chevy pickup (454 and four-on-the-floor, if you care, which you should), that's... um... 1/2 mpg.

You, presumably, drive a smaller, smarter vehicle, so you could be looking at a 1 to 2 mpg improvement. At $3/gallon, it'll add up, and if all of you send the savings to this blogger's Paypal account, he can afford to keep driving his Chevy.

Part 2. A synthetic motor oil can improve fuel efficiency quite a bit. Even if you don't believe the outrageous claims from oil and additive makers (and you shouldn't), you can realize a 5% to 10% gain by switching to a synthetic motor oil such as Mobil 1.

Part 3: Slow-the-heck-down. It's that simple, folks. Most modern automobile engines are most efficient at below-highway speeds. Figure around 55 mph for maximum efficiency, then add another 5 mph so you don't get rear-ended by the hotshot in the Lexus (or me in my truck). The gas mileage difference between 60 mph and 80 mph is going to be in the 15% range.

Part 4: Make the kiddies walk. For every 100-pounds in cargo, you're burning about 2% more gas. They could use the exercise, anyway. If that doesn't work, at least get 'em off the roof: Anything you put up there pretty much wreaks havoc on your mileage. Avoid it.

Handy Tips: Just do it, ok? This is going to be the easiest Greenhack you ever read on this site.

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