Tony's Tips - Ways To Save On Gas

With California's gas prices rising faster than summer temperatures, filling your gas tank will cost you more money this summer. If you can't cut down on your driving, you can still save money by increasing the number of miles you drive on a tank of gas. Maintaining your vehicle and adjusting the way you drive could mean fewer trips to the service station.

Buy The Right Fuel

Before you check your maintenance or adjust your driving, make sure you're using the right fuel for your car. Many people fill up with premium gasoline when regular will do. Read your owner's manual to find out what octane gas your vehicle requires. Some people think that using a higher octane fuel will give their cars more power or a longer life. High-performance vehicles do require premium grades of gas, but the majority of cars on the road function well with regular gas. Buying a higher octane than required could cost you 10 or 20 cents a gallon more per fill-up. If your tank holds 15 gallons and you re-fuel once a week, you could be spending $1.50 to $2.00 more than necessary a week or throwing away between $78 and $140 dollars a year. There are better ways to spend your money.

Driving Tips To Increase Your Miles Per Gallon

Freeways: Cars get higher mileage with highway driving than by taking surface streets. When traveling any distance, take the freeway There are fewer stops and starts to consume your precious fuel.
Drive slower: Cars don't use as much fuel at slower speeds. If you're driving on the freeway, the maximum speed in California is 65 miles per hour. When you exceed that number; you're breaking the law and burning more fuel.
Avoid fast Starts: Ease up on the gas pedal when you accelerate after stopping. You'll have a smoother ride and save gas.
Open windows and turn off the air conditioning: while this tip isn't feasible for freeway driving, it can save you money on surface streets. Your engine works harder with the air conditioning on, and it uses more fuel.

Maintenance Tips To Increase Your Mileage

Use a sunshade while parked: A sunshade can reduce a car's inside temperature between 40 and 50 degrees when it's closed up on a hot day. This means that your vehicle won't be unbearably warm when you enter it after running an errand or a long day at work. If your car's not that hot, you won't need to run the air conditioning, and you'll cut down on your gas consumption.
Take care of your tires: Make sure that your tires are the right size for your vehicle make and model and they're in good condition.
Proper inflation: Keep your tires properly inflated, and check your tire pressure monthly. Under-inflated tires create increased rolling resistance. This means that they require more energy to move and use more fuel.
Regular rotation: Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, so that they wear evenly. Uneven wear also increases road resistance and increases mileage.
Check your car's fluids: Change your oil as often as recommended by your automaker or as dictated by the driving conditions in your area. Regular oil changes will ensure proper performance and extend the life of your vehicle. Make sure that you also change your transmission fluid, brake fluid and coolant as recommended to keep those systems running smoothly.

Lifestyle Tips To Save on Gas

The Size of Your Vehicle Affects Its Mileage - Larger vehicles have become more popular in recent years. The old-fashioned station wagon has given way to the van, minivan, sport utility vehicle (SUV) and truck. While these larger vehicles hold more people and possessions, they also guzzle more gas. If you already own one of these larger vehicles, the tips listed above may help your mileage. If you're considering a new vehicle purchase, do some research before you buy. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a list of 2001 vehicles with top fuel economy. You can access this list at www.shedrives.com under Environment: Driving Green.
Know Where To Buy Gas - Locating the service station with the lowest prices has become a popular game in Southern California the last few months. The media often report the least expensive gas stations as a public service. So take a few minutes to read the newspaper, listen to a local radio station or tune into television news before you fill up, and you may save some cash.
Other Alternatives - If you still feel that gas prices are overextending your budget, think of alternatives to driving solo. Carpool with others when possible, sharing fuel costs. Some companies pay employees a monthly stipend to carpool, so you may earn a little more for your effort. If carpooling isn't an option, public transportation may be.

Plan your errands and consolidate your trips. Each time you start your vehicle, you burn fuel. And if you're just going a short distance, consider walking. You'll save money on gas, get some fresh air and exercise, and benefit your health.

Why should you refer your family and friends to Tony's Body Shop?

What we offer with every repair job:

Guaranteed color match

Accurate panel to panel alignment

Repairing the vehicle to a safe condition

Your 100% satisfaction is our goal.

At Tony's Body Shop you can still find service, a smile, and a sincere thank you if you allow us to service your auto body needs.

Please feel free to call us if we can be of help or guide you in any way.

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