28. August 2012 · 11 comments · Categories: Car · Tags: ,

The following is a guest post from James. If you’re interested in having a guest post on my blog, please just drop me a line!

It’s true that when you embark on a long journey, one of the things you need to look at is how to improve your car’s gas mileage. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself spending a fortune on such a trip. One thing that you need to be committed to is making sure that you lighten your load as much as you can – it’s good to try to avoid carrying junk luggage with you on your journey.

Before you embark on the long journey, your car should be in optimal condition. Make sure that the tires are fully inflated. If you have no idea about the best levels, take a close look at the tires or on the side of the car, especially the inside of the driver’s door. Get an oil change if your vehicle is due for one and clean the air filter. Don’t be worried if you find that this is not easy since most people struggle with car maintenance and other related issues.

Reduce your speed while travelling as this will consume less of your gas thereby saving on mileage. Do not push the vehicle past its speed limit, and don’t overwork your engine since this will consume more petrol. Many vehicles are designed with cruise control – use yours to improve your car’s gas mileage. This is best when you are driving on highways and may be difficult when in cities. Drive at a steady speed for hundreds of miles and you will see how much you can improve you MPG in the process. While it is important to use recommended oil or gas for your car, get a cheaper option.

At times it is best to find a car that is bigger than yours and settle in behind them. This will save you money and cut down on any gas that could have been spent on the journey. If they are also travelling long distance just like you, it will be easier for you to take note of the significant improvement in your car’s gas mileage.

If you are travelling on a long journey, it is advisable to fill up in cheaper locations if you can. While travelling, it is good to obtain information on the price of gasoline along the route you will use. You can get an iPhone app to find out where cheaper gasoline is sold and ensure that you fill at the petrol stations in those places. This will help you save money and ensure you stay within budget.

That’s the end of my introduction to saving my introduction to improving your car’s gas milage. Happy travels!
James is a freelance marketer, dedicated traveller, and occasional business blogger. You’ll often find him hanging around Manhattan, pretending to be cool.

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11 Comments

  1. We ALWAYS use our cruise control. It makes driving easier and better. I actually wish everyone would use it because I hate drivers that are going 70 mph one second and then 40 the next second just because they can’t keep their foot steady.

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    • My car doesn’t have cruise control – and I really wish it did on long drives. It’ll definitely be in our next car!

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  2. We just got back from a road trip – I sent back the first car they tried to rent me because it was a gas guzzler. Having the AC on also makes more of a difference to gas mileage than I suspected.
    Brian recently posted..My Sony Walkman MP3My Profile

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  3. I too am a cruise control fan. It really helps get those extra gas miles out. We also make sure all the oil levels are good so that everything runs as efficient as possible.
    Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter recently posted..Seven Cheap Hobbies That You and Your Family Can EnjoyMy Profile

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  4. I use cruise control as well, otherwise I find myself slowly increasing speed. When I was much younger I thought that the faster you went, the more efficient it was; well I did not realize there was a peak and once you hit a certain speed fuel economy starts to go way down. Now I’m much wiser and stick to a decent pace.
    Gillian @ Money After Graduation recently posted..Running a successful business is all about finding a niche: The Walk of Shame ShuttleMy Profile

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  5. Thank you for the reminder to get my oil changed before I go on a road trip this weekend. I keep putting that off.

    I like that you gave the tip about drafting behind another vehicle, just like they do in actual car racing. It’s one tip that I almost never see in these kinds of lists. It makes a lot of sense though.

    As for Brian’s comment about A/C, they tested that on Myth Busters. Driving with the windows open was just as bad.
    Modest Money recently posted..5 Apps to Inspire your New Home BuildMy Profile

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  7. I change my own oil and maintain my own truck but it comes pretty easy to me I guess. The worst part is doing something you know you know nothing about and they costing you more in the long run. When I travel I look up on line to see who has the best gas prices in my area. I also use cruise control if I am in the automatic crap van (that’s a whole other story) as I would only drive standard and nothing else. Although I don’t have diesel our relatives do and when they tell me how long a tank lasts them or how much it costs to travel, I’m envious. Cheers Mr.CBB
    Canadianbudgetbinder recently posted..Save Money On Your Next Mortgage TransactionMy Profile

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  8. Pingback: Mr.CBB’s Weekly Blog Post Pics Aug 31,2012 « Canadian Budget Binder

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