These days, gasoline prices may be hurting your household budget. You may simply be looking for a way to save money on gas or perhaps you are motivated by your concern for the environment, or even the nagging reality that oil is a depleting resource that shouldn’t be wasted. Whatever reason you have for saving on gas will be a good one, whether financially or for the good of the environment.
Fuel economy
Fuel economy is simply the amount of gas your car uses for a given distance, usually in miles per gallon, although it will be liters per kilometer in some European countries. Be aware though that studies have shown that the average driver only receives 75 percent or so of the mileage figures that are on the sticker.
However, you can still use these MPG ratings to give you an idea of the most economical vehicle to buy, but as everyone drives differently they will not be totally accurate. Just use them as a guide to see how many MPG a particular vehicle can get, so you can compare with other vehicles and then go from there.
Hybrid vehicle advantages
The gas electric hybrid vehicles are usually priced higher than their non-hybrid counterparts, anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to several thousand dollars more.
But, because hybrid vehicles can get many miles per gallon, some averaging around 45 – 55, this is great for those who want to save money on gas. Hybrids will go many more miles on a single tank of fuel and they come with extended warranties as well.
Hybrid vehicles could well save you money on fuel in the long run, especially if you drive more than the average driver.
Diesel powered vehicles
Diesel powered cars have always been a fuel-efficient choice. Diesel engines are more efficient at getting extra mileage from every gallon of fuel. They can offer much better torque than many gasoline engines. The price differential they have over gasoline engines is usually much smaller than that of the hybrid.
Due to the high compression ratios and resulting high cylinder pressure in diesel engines, they are built to take a lot more punishment than gas engines. The main differences are thicker block and cylinder heads, pistons, crankshaft, and valves, which pushes the manufacturing costs up.
And, if you’ve tried to start a diesel engine on a cold day, you’ll know that a gas engine is much easier to start. Diesels don’t have spark plugs like gas engines do, as the fuel is ignited once it’s injected into the cylinder that is already under pressure. When the weather is cold, the air isn’t hot enough to ignite the diesel fuel.
Because diesel fuel is easier to refine, taking less time to get from raw petroleum to final product, you can usually buy it a lower price than gas – which is an instant saving on every gallon.
Making the decision between gas and diesel comes down to how you use your vehicle and where you live. If you use your vehicle for quick, fast acceleration and rarely ever haul heavy loads, and don’t plan to keep your vehicle past 100,000 miles, you may want to consider buying a gasoline vehicle.
Whatever vehicle you decide to buy, always remember to shop around and find what’s best for your lifestyle and pocket. With plenty of options available, you’re sure to find the right vehicle to help you save money on your car fuel.
