I stopped at a gas station in Vernon Hills a couple of days ago to fill up the gas tank in my car.
I was shocked to see the prices! The gas cost me $4.55 a gallon, for a total of more than $60 — and I drive a MINI Cooper with a small gas tank!
The Chicago area has the highest gas prices in the nation. Here in Lake Zurich, the cheapest gas can be found for $4.35 gallon at Mobil, 650 S. Rand Road, and for $4.40 a gallon at Sterling Citgo, 487 S. Rand Road, and Lake Zurich 66, 1 N. Rand Road.
Even with my fuel-efficient car, I'm still trying to find ways to cut back on my driving.
What are some practical ways we can all save money on fuel prices? The U.S. Department of Energy offers some ideas — and potential cost savings — on its website. Here are some of those ideas:
- Drive sensibly. This can increase your car's miles per gallon by 5 to 33 percent, potentially saving you between $.18 and $1.20 a gallon.
- Observe the speed limit. This can increase your car's miles per gallon by 7 to 23 percent, possibly saving you between $.26 and $.84 per gallon.
- Keep your tires properly inflated. This can save you $.11 per gallon.
- Keep your engine properly tuned. This can save you $.15 per gallon.
The U.S. Department of Energy also recommends using cruise control on the highway, which can save gas.
What are you doing to save money on gas? Do you have any ideas to share with your fellow readers? Tell us in the comments section!
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Random Bystander
6:51 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
In a perfect world, the local authorities who are collecting an average of
$7.00 - $15.00 on gasoline tax PER TANK might have a little mercy and offer us a reduction during these hardest of economic times, but since all I can hear is the sound of their blatant silence on this matter....we are left with the helpful hints corner to find our own relief...
A simple way to save gas and time is to do all of your errands on the same day utilizing the same car trip if possible. You can number the list if you have many stops to make so that you don't forget one along the route and have to double back.
Also, if you pass places that you need to shop/bank/visit on the way to or from work, try to visit them at that time and avoid having to make a separate trip later.
The added bonus is, you can opt out of the crowds of Saturday shoppers that way which always makes me happy.