Getting the best miles per gallon of gas is not as hard as you may think it. With 65 percent of U.S. households owning two or more cars, our recent gasoline price history has forced us to rethink our driving habits. According to some recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation, most Americans drive an average of 29 miles and spend somewhere around 55 minutes a day in their cars.
Currently, the national average miles per gallon for cars is somewhere around 24.4 miles per gallon, which is the lowest since 1986 when the nation's overall average was about 25.9 miles per gallon.
Let's face it...for years we have taken cheap gas for granted. We've been able to go wherever and whenever we pleased. The good news is, there are ways to increase gas mileage and get more bang for your gasoline buying buck. With just a few minor driving adjustments we can still enjoy our driving freedom.
Simply driving more sensibly is how to increase gas milage. Aggressive driving, such as speeding, accelerating too quickly and braking too fast actually wastes gas. Whenever you are driving at highway speeds this type of driving can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent
Cruising around town with no particular place to go can waste gas by 5 percent. This 5 to 33 percent waste can result in a 7 cent to 49 cents a gallon waste. If you own a car with a 15 - 20 gallon tank, the amount of waste quickly adds up.
Being aware of the speed limit when you are driving and adhering to it can also help. Gas mileage lowers quickly when you are driving at speeds that are above 60 mph. The general rule of thumb is that for every 5 mph that is driven over 60 mph is just like paying an extra 10 cents per gallon.
Using cruise control on the highway helps you to maintain a constant speed which can help you save money on gas.
Consolidating all of your trips and errands will cut down on the driving time which will result in your own gasoline discount.
And have you taken a look in your car's trunk lately? You might want to take the time to clean out that trunk because the heavier the load in your car is, the more gasoline you use.
Lastly, with the summer just about here, you should try to use the air conditioner sparingly. The A/C puts more force on the engine, which forces you to use more gas. About 20 percent more to be exact.
Making these sensible adjustments to your driving habits will help in getting the best miles per gallon of gas, and make you a better driver.
About the Author:
Olivia is a writer with over fifteen years writing video scripts and webcopy. She authors several websites and blogs.
Getting the Best Miles Per Gallon of Gas
