Fuel-Efficient Driving: Gas Saving Tips for Automatic Transmissions

Just because you aren’t ready to switch to a hybrid, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still save money on gas. Even if your car is typically a “gas guzzler” with an automatic transmission, you can develop better habits to help you reduce the amount you spend on gasoline each month.

Don’t Let Your Car Idle

Each minute that you allow your car to idle expends the same amount of gasoline that would be required to crank it up. If you know you’re going to be idling for more than a minute or two, turn your car off rather than letting it run. Not only does this conserve gas, but its also better for the environment. If you must allow the car to idle, put the transmission in neutral. This gives the transmission a chance to cool and further conserves gasoline.

Avoid Stop and Go Traffic

If at all possible, avoid areas where numerous traffic lights and stop signs require you to repeatedly slow down, stop and accelerate again. This expends much more gas than driving along a highway.

Don’t Leave Items in Your Trunk

The more weight your car has to carry, the more gasoline will be required to propel the vehicle. Take care not to leave boxes, bags, furniture and other items in your vehicle when driving around. By removing the extra weight your car carries on a regular basis, you can conserve gas and save money.