Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline. Buy the lowest grade
or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with
high-octane fuel is a waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's fuel economy or performance
in the least, so skip it.
If you're not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up your
owner's manual and take a look. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded,
you're good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a
year.
Don't top off. Don't bother topping off
when filling your car's gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying
for gas your car won't use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks
off.
Replace air filters. Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter.
When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less
fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents
a gallon. It's a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change. The Car Care Council recommends
changing your car's air and oil filters every three months or 3,000 miles or as specified in your owner's manual.
Important emergency items to carry in your
car
In case of road-side emergencies, accidents or bad weather, always have in your vehicle the following
items:
- Jumper cables
- Pliers, an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver
- A
first-aid kit
- Blankets
- A supply of any regularly needed or taken medications
- Candles
and matches
- Sand or kitty litter for climates with snow or ice
- Clean water
- Canned
fruit or nuts and a can opener
God Bless America