It’s December, and many of us are feeling a pinch in our wallets, so we thought this would be a perfect time to share money-saving driving tips for you and your car.

Driving smoothly instead of quickly accelerating and braking will help you increase fuel economy and reduce wear and tear on your engine and tires. Simple tricks like driving just under the speed limit and keeping extra space between you and other drivers will help you avoid stepping on the brakes as often.

Here are some tips to avoid idling your car. Anything over a minute can be a waste of fuel. So if you wait for a passenger to run into a store or back into the house, try turning off the engine. Not only will you be saving fuel, but you will also be reducing emissions, which is a good idea.

Tire pressure, tire pressure, tire pressure. Everyone says to check your tire pressure regularly, but how many of us actually do? Few of us take the time each week to take our tire pressure gauge out of the console and spend time at each tire to verify that we have even tire pressure. Not only do under-inflated tires decrease fuel economy, but it also causes excessive uneven wear on your tires, which means a shorter lifespan and increased costs.

How many of us think about using certain types of oil to conserve energy? Did you know that using the incorrect engine oil can cause your engine to work harder than it needs to? This means excessive wear on your engine and also wastes fuel. Be sure to check with the experts at Foothill Auto Service to ensure you are using the correct oil for your vehicle.

When you replace your air and oil filters regularly, your engine runs more efficiently. Be sure to change your oil filter every time you change your oil, and your air filter every 10-15,000 miles, or a good rule of thumb is 2-3 services. Although there is a low cost associated with filter changes, the upfront cost pays off in the long run by extending the life of your engine parts and increasing fuel economy.

Did you know that using cruise control reduces engine wear and also helps you save on gas? Of course, it is important to know when to use cruise control and when not to; however, if you see an open road ahead, think about using your cruise control to improve fuel economy.

How many of us think of filling up on a certain day of the week? Did you know that fuel prices rise later in the week and into the weekend? Make it a practice to fill up on a Monday or a Tuesday to save a few cents per gallon. There are even apps like GasBuddy which compare prices for you to download if you want to know who has the lowest prices around.

We hear it time and again, getting regular preventive services on your car not only ensures that you have a more reliable car, but it also cuts down on excessive wear and tear that is avoidable. Bringing your vehicle into Foothill Auto Service for a regular service inspection can help you detect any minor issues before they become expensive repairs.

This one you may not want to hear. Your air conditioning increases fuel consumption. Did you know that when you use your A/C, you may be reducing your fuel economy by 25%? So, next time you are on the road, you might consider cracking the windows instead of turning on the air conditioner to save money.

Lastly, selecting a fuel-efficient car to drive will benefit your pocketbook in the long run. This does not mean you have to drive a tiny Smart car; there are many trucks, SUVs, and Hybrids that increase your savings at the pump. If you are ready to get serious about increasing your fuel economy, this may become your vehicle of choice!

One thing is certain, and that is to kick off your savings, schedule a preventive maintenance appointment with the friendly folks at Foothill Auto Service. We are here to help!