You’re paying about $3.60 for a gallon of gasoline, a 21% increase since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28. You will likely pay more as the war continues.
The nationwide US average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $2.98 on February 27, the day before the United States and Israel attacked Iran. Now the price of oil has reached $100 per barrel and gas prices are increasing.
Learn more: Gas apps and fuel rewards can help.
In the wake of the international conflict, there are some practical, common-sense things you can do to ease your financial pain at the gas pump.
In addition to using gasoline apps and paying with cash, simply making sure your car is in good condition and driving sensibly can help you save money. Here are some recommendations.
1. Keep your car in good condition: Maintain the vehicle in good working condition. Use the grade of engine oil recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Make sure tires are properly inflated: Check your car’s tires to make sure they are inflated to the correct PSI or pounds per square inch. Underinflated tires can reduce miles per gallon. You’ll find the PSI in your owner’s manual and on a sticker on the door jamb inside the driver’s side door. Check your tires more often in cold weather.
3. Use correct octane gasoline: Most cars do not need high-octane gas, which costs more than lower octane. Use the octane level recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Avoid idling the engine for long periods: For modern cars, the Department of Energy recommends you idle for about 30 seconds to allow the engine to warm up. Older cars with carburetors may require two to three minutes in cold weather. If you’re stopped for 10 seconds or more, turn off the engine, leaving traffic, the department says, and restart when you’re ready to go.
5. Reduce Air Conditioning: According to the Department of Energy, in hot weather, running the air conditioner can reduce your engine’s MPG by about 25%. Keep the windows down when driving slowly, but use the air conditioner when driving on the highway. Do not use the air conditioner more than necessary and do not keep the temperature lower than required.
However, Consumer Reports found that air conditioning “dehumidifies the car’s interior, which can help keep the driver alert and safe,” and called it a worthwhile compromise.
6. Clean Your Car: Removing items you don’t need from your vehicle reduces weight. Engines in heavier vehicles have to work harder, especially in smaller cars. Keep essential tools, but remove unnecessary items.
7. Remove the outer rack: Remove the roof rack and roof cargo carrier to reduce wind drag unless you are using them. Consumer Reports states, sedan owners in particular will find “simply installing a roof rack has a big impact on fuel economy.”
8. Plan your trips: It’s more efficient to combine your errands into one long drive rather than doing more than one. Several short cold-start trips can use almost twice as much fuel as a single, longer trip.
9. Use cruise control: The Department of Energy says that on highways, cruise control “helps maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.” Newer cars come with adaptive cruise control, an advanced control that helps drivers maintain proper distance from other vehicles.
10. Drive smoothly and intelligently: According to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, jackrabbit starts, hard braking, and aggressive driving can increase fuel use by 10% to 40%. The New York Department of Transportation says that maintaining a steady speed and adjusting speed in time with traffic lights helps improve gas mileage, since it takes more energy to move a vehicle from a stop than it does to keep it moving.
Sources USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; United States Department of Energy; aaa.com; consumer Reports; fueleconomy.gov
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paying too much for gas? These 10 tips will help you save money.
Reporting by George Petras and Janet Lohrke, USA TODAY/USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect