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Save Gas this Summer with these Road Trip Tips

For many of us in Texas, summer vacations often include road trips. Whether you‘re driving across this great state of ours or beyond, here are some tips which will help you make the most of your vacation budget with better fuel efficiency.

• Lighten your load. Summer trips usually involve packing, but only take as much as you really need. An extra 100 pounds could reduce your miles per gallon by up to 2 percent.
• Don’t tie it on top. When you load your roof rack, it increases your aerodynamic drag and can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent. Instead, pack your items in your trunk, cargo space or back seat.
• Control your cruise. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
• Tune up before you travel. If your car is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test, fixing it can improve its gas mileage by 4 percent.
• Kick your tires. Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. On the contrary, under-inflated tires can lower your gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. (The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in your driver's side door jamb, your glove box and your owner's manual.
• Park in the shade. That way, your car will be a lot more comfortable when you’re ready to leave and you won’t have to crank up the AC. You’ll also keep your car’s paintwork and tires in better shape.
• Drive the speed limit. Each vehicle is a little different, but gas mileage typically decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. For each 5 miles per hour that you drive over 60, that’s like paying an extra $0.24 per gallon for gas.
• Maintain your motor oil. By using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil, you can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
• Get a gas cap. Make sure you have one and it’s not broken. The heat of summer can make the fuel in your tank evaporate, letting your hard-earned gas dollars escape into the atmosphere.

And remember, as you travel this summer, the safer you drive, the better auto insurance rates you can get. For a no-obligation quote, contact one of our licensed insurance representatives today at 888-833-7358 or complete our online form.