Save Money by Driving Smoothly

Good driving skills can reduce the amount of fuel your vehicle uses. A smoother ride results in increased fuel efficiency can reduce wear and tear on your vehicle which can result in more money in the bank. Before you leave for your next vacation, consider some car travel tips so you can get the most out of your tank.

Acceleration. When you merge into traffic, only accelerate as much as necessary. Quickly increasing your speed may give you the thrill of feeling your car rev up, but it requires your engine to work harder and consume more energy.

Avoid Agressive Braking. Waiting until the last minute to brake, and then braking hard, will put extra stress on the braking system. And riding your brakes, by keeping one foot on the brake pedal, can cause your brake system components to wear out faster than normal. Both of those scenarios will end up costing you more in maintenance and will have a negative impact on your fuel economy.

Slippery slopes. Slow down on wet surfaces or gravel to prevent your tires from losing traction and spinning, which uses up more fuel.

Overdrive. Most cars have an overdrive (O/D) gear that minimizes fuel usage. Some vehicles may have a button on the shift lever that you can press to send the car into overdrive. Make sure your Overdrive is engaged so that your engine will run at lower RPMs which will improve fuel efficiency and reduce wear and tear.

These car travel tips could reduce your fuel and maintenance costs during a lengthy road trip or your daily commute.

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