With the continual increase in gas prices everyone is trying to conserve fuel and reduce the bite on their wallets.

Nationally, the current average for a gallon of Regular Unleaded is $3.75. In South Carolina, with our lower taxes on fuel, we are only paying, on average, $3.46/gl. That is better than other states, but there are steps you can take to lower your costs, and conserve fuel.

Before you head out to fill up your tank, you can check for the lowest gas prices in the local area on the Gas Prices page here on our website. EdgefieldAdvertiser.com/gas-prices/.

FuelEconemy.gov offers these tips to help conserve fuel:

1. Drive Sensibly – Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
2. Observe the Speed Limit – While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph. You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.26 per gallon for gas. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
3. Remove Excessive Weight – Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
4. Avoid Excessive Idling – Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear.
5. Use Cruise Control – Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

To learn additional ways to reduce your fuel consumption and reduce the bite out of your wallet, visit FuelEconemy.gov for more fuel saving tips, and don’t forget to check for the lowest local gas prices on EdgefieldAdvertiser.com/gas-prices/.

Robert Norris