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Health & Fitness

Local Voices: Great Ways to Pump Up Your Gas Mileage

Tip of the week: Changing some of your driving habits will help you save some green at the pump.

With the price of gas on the rise, I thought now would be a great time to talk about some excellent ways to boost your fuel economy.  Now, you could go out and buy a new smart car, or a hybrid, but these ideas are a little easier and a lot
less expensive.

  • First, make sure your tires are properly inflated.  You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.  Not only this, but it’s safer and properly inflated tires last longer.
  • Second, make sure you’re using the recommended grade of motor oil for your specific car.  You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent just by doing this alone.
  • Another tip is to avoid aggressive driving.  Now, I know none of you do that, but just in case you do, I thought you should know that aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and braking, wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Thirty-three percent is equivalent to $1.18 a gallon so that can really add up fast.
  • Don’t carry extra weight in your car, like golf clubs, tools or things like that.  The added weight can decrease your overall mileage. 
  • So can excessive idling.  If you’re parked somewhere, shut your car off as opposed to letting it idle.  This can add up over time. 

I know I need to watch some of these things so I just thought I’d pass the tips along.

Now if you’re looking to save some money on your mortgage, in addition to saving at the pump, now is a great time to consider refinancing.  Or, maybe you’re looking to get into a new home for the first time – it’s a great time for that as well.  Interest rates are still at historic lows so all you have to do is give me a call and we’ll sit down and take a look at your situation. Call me for a free, no obligation consultation and we’ll get you well on your way to saving money in your home as well.

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See you right back here next week, for another tip of the week.

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