3 Tips for Reducing Gas Costs throughout the Spring and Summer Driving Seasons

Following what seemed like an endless winter, springtime is once again upon us. After being bombarded by powerful snowstorms and bitterly cold wind-chills for nearly five months, you couldn’t be happier to see the return of sunny skies and comfortably warm weather. In addition to causing you and your family a substantial amount of stress, wintertime weighed fairly heavily on your finances – particularly where gas costs were concerned.

In order to safely traverse perilous winter roads, you invested in a lumbering SUV that boasts a top-of-the-line safety rating. Unfortunately, this vehicle isn’t particularly fuel-efficient and costs a fortune to fill up. Even when gas prices are relatively low, filling up the massive tank runs you nearly $100. With the spring and summer driving seasons right around the corner, you’re convinced that fuel costs will financially bleed you dry. Not only do you leave the house more when the weather is nicer, your family also has several lengthy road trips planned for the summer. Before limiting the amount of driving you do or putting the kibosh on your upcoming travels, why not familiarize yourself with several effective ways to cut fuel costs in half?

Invest in a Fuel Efficient Vehicle

If you hail from a state known for heavy snowfall, it pays to have a truck, jeep or sport utility vehicle at your disposal throughout the winter months. Although these vehicles aren’t very fuel-efficient, their four-wheel drive and massive sizes make them ideal for navigating wintery roads. However, throughout the spring, summer and fall months, the aforementioned vehicles can be a burden to budget-conscious motorists. Their enormous gas tanks and lack of fuel-efficiency stand to clean you out at the pump throughout the busy driving season.

By investing in a fuel-efficient vehicle to drive when the weather is nice, you can save yourself thousands of dollars a year. Even if a brand new car is well outside of your budget, you should have no problem finding a great deal on a pre-owned sedan, hybrid or compact car. Additionally, large families are sure to appreciate the convenience of having an extra car around.

Stay on Top of Maintenance

As any mechanic can confirm, irregular vehicle maintenance invariably leads to decreased fuel efficiency. With this in mind, make a point of taking your car in for an oil change and general checkup every 3,000 miles. This will ensure that your vehicle continues to run at peak efficiency and that any prospective problems are diagnosed and addressed in a timely manner.

Avoid Idling

When trying to save money on gas costs, idling is the absolute worst thing you can do. Burning fuel when your vehicle isn’t even moving eats up money while giving you nothing in return. So the next time you’re stuck at a lengthy railroad crossing or waiting for someone while sitting in your vehicle, simply turn the car off. Leaving the vehicle running in these situations isn’t good for your car – or your pocketbook.

It’s no secret that fuel costs have increased exponentially in recent years. Such unprecedented rises in the price of gas have forced many families to rethink their driving habits and limit the amount of time spent on the road. This has led to the cancellation of countless road trips and family vacations. Fortunately, by investing in a fuel-efficient summer vehicle, staying on top of maintenance and avoiding idling, you can reduce your gas costs without limiting your time behind the wheel.

About the Author: Sylvia Waller is a creative writing instructor who resides in her hometown of Nanuet, New York. Fed up with the constantly-fluctuating cost of fuel, she recently paid a visit to Rockland Chrysler Jeep Dodge, where she found a fantastic deal on a pre-owned Dodge Durango Hybrid. Happy with her fuel-efficient family vehicle, Sylvia advises upstate New York residents on the hunt for automotive bargains to visit http://www.rocklandchryslerjeepdodge.net/.

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