Manage Your Fuel Consumption

Managing your fuel consumption begins with preparing yourself through certain habits and mindsets that not only do you want to go for the lowest gas prices, but that you also want to ensure that you optimize how your car uses up gas. To help you get started, I've put together some essential information and management tools.

1. Energy Technology and Fuel Economy

Only 15 percent of the fuel that you put into your car gets used and the rest of the energy is lost for many reasons. It is important to maintain your car and have an understanding of how your vehicle operates.

If this information is foreign to you, you may consider taking a basic mechanics course to gain some knowledge.

The more that you understand about the way that your vehicle runs, and what it takes to properly maintain it, the more success you will have when it comes to understanding what steps to take to start saving money.

If only 15 percent of the fuel that you pay for gets used that means that you need to be absolutely certain that the condition in which your car is running is as efficient as it can be.

In addition to a mechanics course you may be able to find fuel saving tips that are available through a small mini-course at your local college.

2. Use a fuel cost calculator

Using a fuel cost calculator will help you to estimate the specific fuel costs for your car. This will help you in determining how much gas you are using to fuel your vehicle each year. An excellent fuel cost calculator can be found at http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com (of course, there are others as well. Just do a Google search for ‘fuel cost calculator').

3. Keep a gas log

Invest in a small notebook and pen for your car and write down all your gas purchases and the mileage that you travel.

Start to develop the habit of knowing exactly how much you are spending in fuel costs.

You can also use your gas log to keep track of the best places to buy your gasoline. You want to see a pattern develop so that you can track your gas spending habits and then make changes if needed.

If you are buying a used vehicle privately, or from a dealer, find out if there is an owner's manual so that you can find out how to take care of your vehicle.

If you're lucky, there may be a gas log of some kind from the previous car owner.

A gas log is an essential tool for a pragmatic car owner. It may seem silly at first, having to jot down miles and the best gas prices. But with time you'll realize that it is an indispensable tool, helping you control your gas bill and alerting you to potential car trouble.