Summer is one of the hardest times to conserve fuel. Our summers consist of traveling and/or just being on the go so I can completely understand the want to save money. Since we need gas for our vehicles, we try our hardest to save whenever we can. Stopping just short of heading out to buy an electric car or shopping for a more fuel-efficient car at the Fred Martin Superstore, here are some tips to help you and your family save money on gas while enjoying your summer.
Park in the Shade
If your car does get too hot, people tend to roll down the window to cool it which can drain the gas at high speeds. Or use the air conditioner turned up on high… which at first is just blowing around the hot air. Parking in the shade keeps your car from getting too hot. This way, you don’t have to waste too much time and gas cooling down your car. Which brings me to…
Roll down your Windows
Before you leave, roll down the windows to help cool down the car instead of turning on the air. Turning on the air conditioner right away makes it blow hot air around, which won’t help anything. Let the wind cool your car for you while you are driving within a reasonable speed limit, then turn the air on once you hop on the highway.
Use any Gas Perks from your local grocery store
Giant Eagle (which is local to us) offers 20 cents off gas for every $50 you spend in the store. It can add up if you do your weekly grocery shopping there. But it can add up faster when buying gift cards to other places. Sometimes, we’ve gotten free tanks of gas. It may seem small but it helps. Search your local stores to see if anyone offers this. Kroger also offers a different type of program.
Use the Air Conditioner instead of keeping the windows down
Once you get moving, turn the air on. Yes, I know, the air conditioner does use more gas. However, you’ll use more gas going 70 miles per hour with the windows down then with the air conditioner. Why? The windows being open causes drag. Your car has to make up for that drag. That means it is using more gas to help make up for the drag that the windows being down is creating. Make sense?
