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David Bach The Automatic Millionaire

David Bach, The Automatic Millionaire

Get More Miles for Your Money

by David Bach

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Posted on Monday, May 21, 2007, 12:00AM

Yesterday, I filled up my car's tank and spent $68.75! I just about keeled over. I'm dating myself here, but I remember when you could fill up for five bucks -- and you got a free Hot Wheels car for a full tank.

Not anymore, and certainly not this summer. As I write this, the American Automobile Association's (AAA) Daily Fuel Gauge Report shows the nationwide cost of a gallon of gas at $3.09. Some parts of the country will see the cost of a gallon of gas increase to $4 in the coming months, with a combination of lower inventories and increasingly higher demands to blame.

Wisdom at the Pump

Luckily, there are plenty of smart choices we can make to use gas wisely. We can't directly control the cost of gas at the pump, but with the right mindset we can control how we conserve.

Conservation is all about doing the right thing -- not only for your finances, but for the environment as well, and planning before you pump can make a huge difference. The following nine easy tips show you ways to increase your fuel efficiency and save money this summer. 

Here are the tips:

1. Find a bargain.

If you're taking a summer road trip, plan out your route before you go. Identify gas stations along the way that have the lowest prices.

When I stopped in a beach town last week to fill up my car I didn't plan like I should have (I almost ran out of gas), and it cost me the most I'd ever paid for gas -- $3.85 a gallon. Next time I'll go to GasBuddy.com, a site that lets consumers share gas price information easily, and find a better deal before I head for the beach.

2. Keep your tires fully inflated.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average driver can improve mileage by 3.3 percent simply by inflating their vehicle's tires regularly.

In fact, according to the AAA, under-inflated tires are the No. 1 way we waste gas. One out of every four cars and one out of every three pickups, vans, and SUVs have at least one extremely low tire. So pick up a tire gauge at your local auto parts store and check your tire pressure whenever you pull into a service station for gas. Your car's owner's manual will tell you the recommended PSI -- pounds per square inch -- rating.

3. Get a tune-up.

A vehicle in need of servicing is wasting gas in more ways than one. According to the Department of Energy, replacing a clogged air filter can improve your gas mileage by 10 percent, while fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve gas mileage by an unbelievable 40 percent.

So kick off your summer by getting that tune-up you've been putting off. Check your owner's manual, or download a free service and maintenance schedule at CarCare.org.

4. Fill 'er up with regular unleaded if possible.

If premium gas isn't absolutely required by your car's manufacturer, then opt for regular unleaded. According to AAA, one out of five gallons of gas pumped in the U.S. is premium -- yet only 10 percent of vehicles require this higher octane fuel.

The truth is that you may not even notice the difference when you drive your car with regular gas instead of premium, and the cost difference can be as much as 40 cents per gallon. If your car doesn't require premium unleaded, you're wasting your money -- premium doesn't improve performance.

5. Adjust your driving habits.

Speeding, excessive accelerating, and sudden braking all waste gas. A more relaxed driving style not only improves safety, it also improves gas mileage by 33 percent for highway driving.

Idling your engine for long periods can also waste up to a gallon of gas per hour. Also, think twice before blasting the air conditioning. According to the Department of Energy, operating your car's air conditioner on its maximum setting can reduce your miles per gallon by 5 to 25 percent compared to not using it at all.

6. Clean out your trunk.

Unnecessary cargo weighs your car down. A hundred extra pounds can reduce your miles per gallon by 2 percent.

Going on vacation? Try to avoid storing luggage on your roof. The increased wind resistance will reduce your mileage as well.

7. Carpool.

You'll literally save thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs if you share a ride to work. Here's an example: If you commute to work 40 miles per day round trip, work full-time, drive a vehicle that gets 24 mpg, and pay the national average for gas, your estimated yearly cost to commute is $5,124.

But if you carpool with one other person, you'll save an estimated $2,562 a year. Carpool with three other people and you'll save an estimated $3,843 a year.

Plug your own commuting numbers into the CommuteSmart cost calculator to see what you can save by carpooling. Then find a rideshare buddy in your area by visiting eRideShare.com.

8. If you're buying a new car, make fuel efficiency a priority.

There's so much to consider when purchasing a new car that fuel efficiency can get lost in the shuffle. By law, however, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) fuel efficiency rating for new cars is posted in large black numbers on a sticker in the window.

Due to the way vehicles (including hybrids) are tested, those EPA ratings didn't used to reflect real-life conditions. But according to a recent Consumer Reports article, the EPA is using a more accurate method for determining fuel efficiency for all 2008 vehicles. So whether you're shopping at a dealer or comparing EPA estimates online, some quick calculations will help you find a fuel efficient car that's right for you.

9. Buy a hybrid, get a tax break.

Driving a hybrid, which runs on a combination of gas and electric power, will significantly increase your miles per gallon. Hybrid cars are becoming more affordable, too.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, in the past it took up to 15 years for the cost savings on gas to offset hybrids' higher sticker prices. But now buyers are seeing a significantly shorter length of time to recoup their investment -- for some models, the break-even period is less than a year.

The government is even offering tax incentives when you purchase certain hybrid vehicles. To find out the details, visit the IRS web site. To read more about hybrid cars, visit Yahoo! Autos.

The Right Mindset

Four dollars a gallon sounds scary to Americans. But the fact that demand continues to increase along with price says it all: We complain about high gas costs, but in reality they don't deter our driving.

Fuel prices won't really go down until our dependency on gasoline does. I tend to agree with the experts who say that we could possibly see gas prices reach double-digits before anything truly changes.

Adopting a gas-conserving mindset is a step in the right direction. So think before you pump, and enjoy your summer. Most important, drive safely!

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481 Comments

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  • Gregg - Tuesday, June 26, 2007, 11:12AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Why is it so many will blast him? The article is newsworthy, in that, action is what needs to take place.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Tuesday, June 19, 2007, 7:48PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Typical David Bach;catchy title, very little substance. Very simplistic analysis. Not worth the time to read. I regret I"ve wasted 4 minutes of my life reading this lowbrow pablum.

  • Said A - Monday, June 4, 2007, 9:36PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    time a limitation thank you

  • JackyL - Monday, June 4, 2007, 6:30PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Please need to stop driving to damn fast!

  • Really! - Monday, June 4, 2007, 4:56PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    The main reason MPG is changed is because ethenol gives 10-20% poorer gas mileage and the Industry knows it. Also the Govt. knows it but doesn`t want to admit it.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Monday, June 4, 2007, 2:21PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    What about asking Americans to lose weight... that will save at least 10% on fuel consumption.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Monday, June 4, 2007, 1:49PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Ok article. One more way to save is use a credit card that gives best cash back on gas purchases (if you use your credit card to purchase gas)!

  • MusicMinded - Monday, June 4, 2007, 12:26PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Common sense tips. But you know I think we can drive the price down. O'Reilly used to tout not buying on Wednesdays but that was a farce. In my poor dim witted way I think, for me, not buying a particular gas would do it. For example, don't buy from the company that has a big E in their name for about a month. Do you think a month of not buying from big E but buying from everyone else would do it? I don't know for sure since I am dim witted, but I bet the gas price gougers would take note especially when they live and breathe profits. Miss the stock return forecast by a nickel a share and the stock plummets. So my bet is after a couple of weeks of not buying from big E you will see their price come down below the others then the others come down below big E because as much as they gouge you and me, they will knife each other . So, do what you like, I am not buying from big E, just everyone else and telling my buds to do the same thing.

  • Jehad - Tuesday, May 29, 2007, 11:38AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    Selling trash to the masses. How much energy you will spend to follow all of the writer points and how much will you save? It is not worth it, stupid. Just fill your car and do what you have to do. Are you not going to drive the car because it costs you extra bucks!! If you are concerned and can't afford extra few hundreds of $$ a year then you need to work on your income. Bet advice when buying your next car, buy the one with the best fuel economy and value. If you are driving a gas-guzzler then you can afford the extra bucks. As for one of the readers comments about the fuel injector cleaners, I disagree about its claimed benefits. Injectors don’t get dirty or rusty. They either work or not. If they don’t work then the only remedy is replace. I am an engineer and worked in that field. I also worked in the fuel economy testing for Chrysler. The bottom of it. Enjoy your car and do what you have to do, if you can’t afford it your only option is make more money. If you can’t, you are screwed.

  • bwm gal - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:48PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Well, I have a few issues with this article. First, Myth Busters (yes, the tv show) tested MANY cars on the myth of A/C vs. windows down and found that there was minimal, if any difference, at highway speeds. Second, the article fails to mention that investing $3 on a little bottle of fuel injector cleaner can boost mpg also (just add the cleaner, fill gas tank, and on the second fill up you'll notice a difference in both performance and mpg). And last, I feel that the author should have mentioned that a clean car will always get better mileage (minimal, but existant nontheless). By keeping your car clean of any debris, sap, tar, and bird droppings, you are allowing your car to be as aerodynamic as it possibly can be. And remove those roof racks if you can (or slide them to be positioned right next to each other), you'll reduce drag too!

  • wensze - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:35PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    I enjoyed the article & the 3:27 video! These are very good tips-since gas prices are so high right now! Thanks for the article.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 2:39PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Good article. We need to use the bikes and the horses again. they don't use gas. People should change to smalls cards. They should make a law that some days of the week only small cards can go on hgws, big roads etc. We need to take care of this or is going to get worse. bye

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 1:52PM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    This is just another rehash of the same old material. The author has run out of original material and we are now in repeats. The May sweeps are over.

  • __A_YAHOO_USER__ - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 11:04AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 3/5

    Dear Mr. Bock, new cars are mpg tested with the windows up and the a/c on. windows down produce drag and can effect fuel mileage.And with newer designs the a/c compressor consumes no more power than the alternator or water pump! So wind resistance with the windows up and the a/c on does help the mpg on newer autos! Cars traveling at 60mph or above with the windows down create a drag coefficent of 6.3% reducing it's mpg by 4.6% vs running a/c which only reduces mpg by 1.3% so what will save fuel?

  • Jazone - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 9:26AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    A week ago I just read that airconditioning does NOT affect your gas mileage, so DOES IT or DOES NOT???

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 9:05AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 3/5

    So, last week I read an article that said air conditioning doesn't make a difference in gas mileage. This one says it makes a 5-25% difference. Which is it????

  • Rhys - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 7:54AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    I think your point is valid about we depend on oil way too much, but I also believe that this administration has other made their oil buddies rich of American tax payers...They say that 30 percent of Iraq's oil is missing...IF demand is so high don't you think they would keep track of the oil or is someone stealing the oil. Maybe we should ask these politicians to worry about the American future instead of another country that doesn't need our help at all. I guess that is what our country guess when you vote for a mindless monkey.

  • Chenkeeri - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 7:44AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Excellent article!

  • Gusparoz - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 7:39AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 5/5

    Very nice article!

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 7:21AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 3/5

    Most of the tips are common sense. Hybrids were mentioned in the article but there is another option, diesel cars. I have a 2005 VW Passat TDI that uses diesel. I pump biodiesel in mine. I get about 500 mpg on a 16.4 tank and about 800 miles driving on the interstate. Biodiesel is made from soy beans which can be grown here in the US which keeps money in the US's and farmer's pockets, it burns cleaner leaving a lot less fumes behind, including sulphur. I also saved $2000 in taxes the year that I purchased my car. A diesel engine runs a lot longer than a gas engine. The break in point on my car is 50,000 miles and if taken good care of can go as long as 500,000 miles. But as I stated, the best feature about a diesel is the mileage that you get and that biodiesel is made from soy beans which will help keep the US from being dependant on foreign suppliers.

  • Jeff M - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 7:03AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 3/5

    This has NOTHING TO DO WITH DEMAND! The high oil prices and games from the oil companies are the reason. Traders are the reason the prices are up which does not necissarily have anything to do with reality. Trading oil is the new game in town and this is what is driving prices up. But the talking heads on the boob tube will never tell you the real TRUTH.

  • birdgray - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 7:01AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    I think this all goes back to lets be more conservative. The frustration I feel is that the lawmakers don't seem to be scaling back or driving the small hybrids?? Set by example. I for one am riding my bike and walking to the local places I need to get to now that the weather is warmer, so are my children. Maybe we will see the benefit healthwise. (trying to stay positive!!) To the person that drives an suv because they have five children, a mini van fits seven and gets much better gas mileage than an suv. Also we complain about gas, and don't get me wrong I am as well, but how many people complain about losing their jobs and having no money, yet their children have all the latest gadgets, name brand clothes and do take out more than cook at home. . .If we want it all, it comes at a very big price tag.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:59AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Yes everyone will complain about the high cost of gas, but of course they will pay for it. What they need to do is also start writing congress and get them to start using more of our reserves. Fuel goes up and so does everything else. I can't carpool, or afford a new car, or for that matter drive another 10 miles to save 2 cents a gal. Seems that would even more waste of fuel. Buy a hybrid ? I'm on a fixed income, and in a yr or two when the batteries need replaced how much will that cost in supposed savings ? Why aren't we developing alternative fuel ? We do have the technology ! Wake up people as long as we have big business controlling congress, and them getting all the perks we will never see a change. Time to look to ourselves and take care of our own. We can't afford to save the world and have them kick us in return.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:56AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Bottom line: Gas consumption will continue to increase as the population increases. More people = more cars on the road = more gas demand. The root cause of demand, pollution and natural resources are people, yet we continue to multiply at alarming rates and no one cares to address the obvious problem.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:54AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    The tips are great but American's have had a free ride for quite some time. We like our toys but dont want to pay for them. No one is going to change their car or driving habits...be realistic about it. We like things big! Europeans and the rest of the world have been paying big bucks for gas and everything else for many years. The costs of living in other contries are rediculous and people make due, now we are paying what other are and everyone is complaining. We are still paying the least out there and some of us live in States where cost of living is extremely high as far as property taxes, etc (NJ) and gas cost is just another expected expense. Bottom line...you can't do anything about it.....you need to deal with it.

  • virginiac - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:49AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Remember... watch your RPM needle if you have one. Try to keep your RPMs at 1500 or lower. RPMs at 2000 and up means that you are sucking in the gas. Finally, the faster we go the harder we have to brake when stopping. Speeding around town wears out brake pads rather quickly.

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:48AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 1/5

    this is the same old bull you see all the time. tell me how people on fixed incomes are supposed to go out and buy hybrid vehicles

  • pattycakes - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:41AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    This artical is very helpfull, but i already new most of this information...A i know is im laid off rght now along with many many other americans and something has to change...I cant even afford the gas to look for another job or even drive to work....

  • Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 6:36AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 4/5

    Its so pathetic that the world has come to this ,In the land of american dreams! we work and stride so hard to make "the american dream" come true, to get the dream job, have the family and home of your dreams,but the ultimate dream is to give your children every thing you didnt have growing up or make life as good for them as possible. How sad is it that with todays growing economy and prices, the infaltion of income does not ever seem to match the cost of inflation and cost of living? it seems that at some point the united states government needs to actually stand up and say enough to some things such as this one. after all,isn't that why we vote them into office? to be "our voice of reasoning ?" For The People, By the people? i do remember that some where in our history lessons...sound familar? now,i do agree that maintainig your vehicle does save money and gas, but some people just can not afford new cars nor hybreds, so what are we suppossed to do? My husband has to drive 1.5 hrs one way to go to work every day, we can not afford to move, nor him quit his job, we drive an suv, but we also have 5 children, so apparently a " regular" family car does not work for us. Nope no assistance here! as i am sure some are thinking, we get up, go to work, take care of our kids and pay our bills on our own.... and you thought $68.00 to fill up was scary.. try.. $146.98 ...thats one half of a average middle- low class americans paycheck in a week i do believe.. so lets face the facts, that if gas is almost $4.00 a gallon, milk is almost the same per gallon, where is it going to end? I wish someone would answer this, at what point do we have to get to, as honest, hard-working,tax-paying, american citizens; before our government will actually do something? We can't afford not to go to work, but can not afford the gas.. sort of a ironic senario dont you think? and family vacations; forget it! gas prices have seen to that! My 11 daughter came up with our solution for our camping trip this year; do you remember the days when you was a kid, and pitched a tent in the backyard, told stories and roasted marshmellows? still the same fun $0.00 gas cost! and it saves on pollution in the air and good for the enviroment as well! Boycotting gas stations, is just going in the long run... cost more jobs to the employees and eventually with the rise of gas prices{ at the rate we are going} end up causing more people to go out of bussines; because no one is going to want to pay or can afford the cost just for the gas alone to get there... so where does it end? I wish someone would answer that question... maybe we should ask our president or vice-president these questions... My daughter asked me why people don't just walk...it is healthier, saves the enviroment and saves them money... people that live in bigger cities and have public transportation? A question I could not answer her. Why not? It would save alot, lower alot of the populations health problems, help the enviroment, and save people a ton of money.. I do not know the answers but it does sound like a good suggestion. At the rate we are going with the enviroment, the eco-system...our kids{little}and granchildren...think about it..seriously. it was 42 degrees last night,at the end of may, and 91 dregees during the day. do you realize the vast amount of temp drop that is? now figure out that in 10 years, 20 yrs. We have do something! About all of this! Welfare system is out of cotrol, homeless population is vast,and growing including little babies and children.. the enviroment, cost of living, inflation, price goughing, Wars, people dying in the streets,little kids killing each other, drugs.. its all getting rediculious! So where is it supposed to end? We are supposed to be adults and role models. As parents and Americans, how do we fix all this for our kids to survive and grow in a safe peaceful world ?

  • WILLIAML - Thursday, May 24, 2007, 5:48AM ET  Report Abuse

    • Overall: 2/5

    Were in need of more refinerys ! Don,t see any being built , do you ! They like our high prices and are not about to invest to bring prices down ! SCREWED !

Showing comments 6-35 of 481<< PreviousNext >>

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