Gas prices in Alaska are crazy high right now. So how do you avoid breaking the bank just to keep your car running? Here are our insider tips to help you save money when it’s time to fill up.
Get Regular Oil Changes
You might be sick of people telling you how important it is to change your oil regularly, but too bad — it’s too critical for us not to mention. Not changing your oil can cause tons of problems in your vehicle AND cost you more money on gas. Fresh oil lubricates your engine and allows it to work as efficiently as possible, which means less stops at the gas station for you.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Here’s a little math for you: a tire that is 20% under-inflated can increase a vehicle’s fuel consumption by 10%. Yikes. Making sure your tires are in good shape and properly inflated could make all the difference in saving you money at the pump.
Remove Extra Weight From Your Car
For every extra 100 pounds of weight in your vehicle, your fuel efficiency decreases by about 2%. That means that getting some of the weight out of your car could potentially help you save on gas. Take that bag of clothes you’ve been driving around to the donation center. Clean out your trunk. If you keep a bike on your car, remove it until you actually need it. Anything you can do to lighten the load can help.
Have Your Engine Tuned Up
When was the last time you had your engine checked? Your engine is one of the most important parts of your car and if it’s not working properly, that can harm your fuel economy. The oxygen sensor in particular can majorly impact your gas mileage. Get it looked at to be certain it’s not costing you more in gas money than necessary.
Change Your Air Filter
Not-so-fun-fact: that dirty air filter you’ve been ignoring could be affecting your gas mileage. This is especially true if your vehicle is on the older side. A dirty air filter forces your engine to work harder, which makes it use more fuel quicker. In fact, it’s not a bad idea to make sure all of your filters are clean to ensure your car is running as efficiently as possible.
Drive Less
This may be obvious, but it’s worth mentioning. If you can carpool, take public transportation, walk, or ride a bike more often, you can get where you’re going while you save money on gas.