Cut Your Vehicle Gas Consumption and Costs!

January 17, 2008. Corpus Christi - Padre Island. By: Mr. C. KIM McGuire, RE/MAX Realtor

Gas prices at the pump keep going up and up. And our wallets/purses keep empyting at the pump.

Keep your car/truck tuned to make it run at top performance that will help you reduce the frequency of fill ups; thereby, reduce your cost on fill ups!

• Tire Pressure: Keep at proper tire pressure. Check the inside of the door for correct pressure or owner's manual.

• Oil. Change oil and oil filter at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer. Check owner's manual. Use correct oil viscosity for the region that you live.

• Air Filter. Change air filter at the frequency recommended by manufacturer and/or quicker if the area you drive in is more dusty than normal.

• Spark Plugs. Change at the frequency and interval recommended by manufacturer. Ensure proper gap of each plug.

• Oxygen Sensor. Ensure proper operation - function. Check your manual and with your local auto parts supply store for info.

• Cargo. Empty your vehicle of excess cargo; i.e., things that you don't need to lug around everywhere you drive. (NOTE: Excess Cargo does not mean your wives, husbands, significant other, or in-laws. : )

Other things to reduce or eliminate unnecessary gas consumption.

• Errands. Make a List of errands to be run and Combine errands to reduce the number of drives. Coordinate with family and friends who may be out in town already to pick up that milk, bread, etc.

• Car Pool. Yes, you can still car pool.

• Use mass transit if available.

• If in the market for a new vehicle, get a hybrid or  a plug in. Or, get a more fuel efficient vehicle. Remember, SUV's and Trucks suck up your GAS and $$$ MONEY!

Note: Contents of this article are the sole opinion of the REALTOR. Just like anything else in life, individuals MUST use their own research, analytical, decision, and prediction skills!