Business & Tech

Auto Club: How to Save Money on Gas

The Automobile Club shares a few ideas about how consumers can spend less money at the pump.

With the average gas price topping $4.30 per gallon, Southern California residents seeing the highest fuel prices since the spring and summer of 2008, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.

The highest price recorded for unleaded, regular gas in Los Angeles county is $4.626.

In order to help drivers pay less at the pump, the Auto Club released a number of tips for drivers on its website

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Track daily mileage and figure out how to reduce it. First off, try carpooling, whether it's to work, social events, school events or sports practices for children. Try walking or using public transit, or if you commute a long distance to work, see if you can telecommute one or two days per week.

Practice safe, smart driving. Texting or using a cellphone or iPod while driving can also waste gas, according to the Auto Club. "When you drive distraction-free and pay close attention, you will be better able to anticipate traffic conditions and slow down or accelerate gradually instead of slamming on your breaks or gas pedal, which wastes fuel and can also be dangerous and hard on your club," the Auto Club said in a statement. Additionally, stop-and-go traffic wastes more gasoline, so avoid hitting the gas only to slam on the brakes seconds later.

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Plan your trips. Instead of making three trips to the grocery store in one week, try making one trip. Combine errands and use the shortest route possible, and call ahead to make sure the item is in stock if there's something in particular that you're looking for.

Fuel efficiency counts. If your household has more than one car, drive the most fuel efficient one as often as possible.

Slow down. "The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that drivers who travel more than 60 miles per hour are reducing their fuel economy anywhere from seven to 23 percent," according to the Auto Club.

Check your tires every other fill-up. Under-inflated tires can reduce fuel economy by 2 percent per pound of pressure below the recommended level, according to the Auto Club.

Clean out your trunk. Your car is not a storage unit. Extra weight in your car—such as sports equipment or files—can reduce fuel economy by about 2 percent per extra 100 pounds.


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