- 9 hours ago
From this video you will learn how to reduce the cost of gas and other useful hacks for the driver!
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00:00Road trip! You and your best friends are rushing down the highway.
00:04Suddenly, one turns off the AC and puts the windows down.
00:07No!
00:08They wanted to help you cut some gas costs and just made one of the classic mistakes.
00:14Turning off the AC and opting for a natural breeze helps while you're stuck in traffic.
00:19While you're driving with your windows down on a highway, you're creating unnecessary wind resistance.
00:25Your car now needs more energy to move forward and you end up burning more fuel per ride.
00:31While you're struggling through traffic inside the city limits, though, turning off the AC isn't a bad idea.
00:38It might not be the most comfortable ride on a hot day, but you're here to save some money, right?
00:45Now, a quick common sense test.
00:47You have two routes to choose from.
00:49One is shorter and another looks longer on the map.
00:52What's it gonna be?
00:53Common sense is screaming.
00:55The first one, duh!
00:56But in fact, the shortest route isn't always the best choice in terms of gas usage.
01:02You gotta pick the one with the least stop signs, traffic lights, and traffic jams.
01:08This route will require less speeding up and slowing down.
01:11Both major gas eaters.
01:13So plan your route wisely.
01:15You can consult apps that show real-time traffic data or interactive maps with stoplights.
01:22Do you also have a bag of sand, your old inflatable bed, a pair of shoes, and five water canisters
01:28in your trunk?
01:29Or is it just me?
01:30Well, you gotta declutter if you want to save some cash.
01:33Losing 100 pounds that you carry around in your vehicle will decrease your gas usage by up to 1%
01:39per gallon relative to your vehicle's weight.
01:42More weight means more fuel used.
01:44That's some simple traffic math.
01:47Brake and accelerate less.
01:49Driving at a steady speed above 50 miles per hour helps you save some gas costs.
01:55Every time you hit the brakes or take off at a rocket speed at the stoplights, you're making your engine
02:00work hard, and it feeds on fuel, you know.
02:04Plus, aggressive driving is bad traffic etiquette.
02:07So speed up slowly and coast to a braking stop smoothly.
02:12Don't go 0 to 60 or floor the car until you have to brake abruptly.
02:17Cruise control can help you with that drive calmly and steadily when you're on flat terrain like the highway.
02:24Once you approach some hills or mountains, cruise control will make your car eat too much gas for no good
02:29reason.
02:30So turn it off and let the speed go down a bit as you ascend.
02:34And then slowly speed up as you go down.
02:36This will take some workload off your engine.
02:40Park your vehicle a couple of blocks away from your destination.
02:43The next time you make the seventh trip driving around the block searching for a parking spot, it will make
02:49all perfect sense.
02:50When you sum up the frustration, your time spent on those searches, and of course, extra gas costs,
02:56you'll be okay settling somewhat further from a busy shopping area, business center, or your favorite popular restaurant.
03:04Don't wait until the last minute to refill your tank.
03:06Make it a habit to do it once it's three quarters empty, or whenever is more comfortable for you.
03:12This way, you won't have to frantically stop at the gas station nearest to you when it's time to refill.
03:18Instead, you'll have your time for some research.
03:21There are special gas-finding apps to help you find the best deal in your area.
03:26Sometimes, it can be across the state or region border, and it's never, ever by the highway.
03:33Once you're ready to settle down with one gas brand, don't hesitate to ask for something in return.
03:38Hybrid vehicle owners, this one's for you.
03:41Try turning on the AC while your car is still plugged into the charger.
03:44It will help extend the vehicle's range when you get on the road, which means less money spent on gas.
03:51If you're driving one of the newer model cars, your engine must automatically stop when you idle your car.
03:57If that's not your case, avoid idling to save fuel.
04:01Waiting for the traffic lights to turn green takes 45 to 120 seconds.
04:05And starting your car requires only 10 seconds of gas.
04:10So, if you have to stop for more than 10 seconds, turn your vehicle off.
04:15If you let it run, it can eat up to an extra half a gallon of fuel per hour.
04:22Now, in case safety isn't one of your primary concerns, at least take good care of your car for reasons
04:27of economy.
04:29Check if your tires are well-inflated at least once a month.
04:33When under-inflated, they wear out quicker, drag, and waste gas.
04:38Check your car's manual to see how often you should tune up your engine.
04:42It depends on the age and model.
04:44Clean the filters to keep the car going while eating less gas.
04:48Use the right motor oil.
04:49Otherwise, your car will have to work harder than it should and waste gas.
04:55There's no need to play it cool and fill up with premium fuel unless you have a high-performance engine
05:00that really can't run on anything else.
05:02That will cost you much less in the long run and won't make your vehicle go faster, cleaner, or get
05:08better mileage.
05:09If your car's manual recommends but does not require premium, at least go with lower grades for extra savings.
05:16Gas chemistry has advanced over the past decades, so don't worry about the quality of regular gas.
05:22It's all good.
05:24If you have an older car, check out your gas cap seal.
05:28Once it weakens, it lets oxygen leak into the gas tank.
05:32When that happens, gas burns way faster.
05:35You can replace the gas cap, but be prepared that the sensors might not recognize the new one unless it
05:41comes from the manufacturer or authorized supplier.
05:45If you have a manual transmission, you're in luck.
05:49You have complete control over your RPM.
05:51That's revolutions per minute.
05:53Lower gas means higher RPM.
05:56The higher the RPM, the more torque the engine produces and the more fuel it's using.
06:01So shift into the upper gears quickly.
06:04It differs from car to car, but an optimal solution would be to change to second by about 15 miles
06:10per hour and move to top gear by the time you're going at 30 to 35 miles per hour.
06:16That cargo container and the bike rack you have on the roof of your vehicle will have to go.
06:21They increase your car's wind resistance, so the engine must do more work to maintain the speed.
06:27It could mean up to 20% extra fuel consumption on the highway and up to 8% in the
06:32city.
06:33If you do need that extra storage, opt for rear-mounted cargo boxes.
06:39For those in car buying mode right now, look into a hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or all-electric
06:46one.
06:47I mean, you'll definitely cut gas costs with an electric car.
06:52Suppose you aren't ready for that much of a change.
06:55In that case, many popular models actually come in hybrid form.
06:59Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Sonata, and Volvo XC90 are all yours to go.
07:07And here comes the bonus tip that will help you cut driving costs by 100%.
07:11Are you ready for it?
07:13Don't drive!
07:15Okay, okay, let me explain.
07:17Don't drive whenever it's possible.
07:19Walk, or bike to work, or use public transport.
07:23If that's too much for you, at least swap driving responsibilities and gas costs with colleagues living in your area.
07:30Bumper stickers on your car give away way more information than you think.
07:34That custom sticker you made with your dog might show robbers that you're pretty outdoorsy and like to spend a
07:39lot of time away from your house or your car, leaving them exposed.
07:43Or that you have enough funds to buy a really expensive dog breed.
07:48The fact that you have a sticker saying that you have a kid on board could translate to,
07:52I'm easily distracted and always have my hands full.
07:55It's really easy to steal my car.
07:59Those stickers that you bring from vacation and place on your car also show that you might be away for
08:04a couple of months at a time, or that you like to travel long distances.
08:09If you're proud of your family's activities, don't use bumper stickers to show it.
08:13It might lure unwanted people and give them unnecessary information, like the name of the college you go to or
08:19where you like to play golf.
08:22It's the same if you're part of a certain profession.
08:24Thieves can easily assume how many valuables they can find in your car by the amount of money they presume
08:29you make.
08:31Parking decals can even show where you work or live, which is something you should never share with strangers.
08:37The more your car is personalized, the more you'll be remembered.
08:40It's not always a bad thing, but if you ever offend someone in traffic,
08:44they'll be more inclined to report you to authorities if you have a custom license plate, a quirky color on
08:49your car, or a lot of stickers.
08:52If you don't intend to keep your car forever, you should consider what it would be like before selling it.
08:57A lot of bumper stickers on a car can steer buyers away.
09:00Not to mention, it's a real hassle to remove those decals, since they leave a lot of sticky residues behind.
09:06They can also damage the car's paint layer.
09:10However, one sticker that can keep thieves away is one suggesting that you have an alarm or tracking system set
09:16up in your car.
09:18You should never keep electronics in your car for longer periods of time.
09:22Firstly, they can attract unwanted attention from people looking for easy money.
09:26Not to mention, leaving your phone or charger at extreme temperatures can damage them permanently.
09:32The fact that you use sunscreen every day is really praiseworthy.
09:36Just remember not to leave the bottle in the car.
09:38Leaving sunscreen exposed to the sun can reduce its effects, since overheating causes the chemicals to deactivate.
09:45Specialists recommend that sunscreen be stored at temperatures below 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
09:51You should even keep those driving glasses of yours away from direct sunlight.
09:55Make sure you place them in your glove box, or take them with you when exiting the vehicle.
10:00Exposure to direct sunlight can damage the lenses and the plastic or metal frame, damaging their fit and efficiency against
10:06sun rays.
10:08If you've ever bought hairspray, spray paint, or deodorant, you've probably noticed that all these cans have storage temperature recommendations
10:15printed on them.
10:16That's why you should never leave them exposed to extreme temperatures in your car.
10:21These bottles can rapidly expand and explode.
10:24Not to mention, their contents can be highly flammable.
10:27Try not to leave a plastic water bottle in your car either.
10:30If it's been sitting in the heat, you could end up consuming harmful substances, like BPA, a chemical compound used
10:38in manufacturing various types of plastics.
10:40They can transfer from the plastic into the water after some time.
10:44That's why even bottled water has an expiration date on it.
10:48It's not like water can expire.
10:49It's written there so you know the date up until the water is safe to consume, safe from the chemicals
10:54in the plastic.
10:56More so, a water bottle left on the seat of a car in direct sunlight can act as a magnifying
11:01glass for the sun's rays and become flammable.
11:05If you want to make sure your groceries are safe to consume, never leave them out at an unsafe temperature.
11:10Whenever you have to buy perishable groceries, leave them in temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for no longer than 2
11:17hours,
11:17or just 1 hour before the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
11:22Best if you can buy meats or dairy last from your grocery list.
11:25That way, you get home faster and rapidly store them in your fridge.
11:30Even in the cold season, you should never leave beverages unattended in your car.
11:34Water, juice, or soda can expand in their containers if frozen and cause a huge mess.
11:40I know it's way more comfortable to throw your damp clothes in a bag after leaving the sauna or the
11:45swimming pool.
11:45Just make sure not to leave them for way too long in your car.
11:48Those clothes can easily gather mold or bacteria that can get stuck inside tiny places in your car.
11:55Not to mention, you won't be able to wear them ever again.
11:58Hang them up to dry as soon as you get home to avoid damaging them.
12:02Hey, having fresh breath is something that I always worry about too, especially when I'm on the road.
12:07But I always skip the usual pack of gum, since it can become gooey and stick to the things in
12:13my car, especially when left in the scorching heat.
12:15It's not so good in the winter either, since it can become frozen solid, making it flavorless and dangerous to
12:22your pearly whites.
12:23Best to opt for gumdrops if you really need to keep something minty in your car.
12:28Your handbag is one of those things you should never leave unattended in your car either.
12:33We often store valuables in our bags, like the keys to our houses or our wallets.
12:37So it's best to make sure that you never leave them in your car to potentially attract thieves.
12:42If you need to leave it there, place it in the trunk.
12:44It's less visible for most cars.
12:47Your car shouldn't be a safe place for your important documents.
12:51Either shred or mail them as soon as you can.
12:54If your car were to be broken into, your contracts or tax forms might expose vulnerable information about your life.
13:01Most people leave documents facing up on their passenger seat, which makes them even more readable for curious people.
13:09Wax crayons are useful during long trips to keep youngsters entertained.
13:12But it's safer to remove them from the car or place them in an airtight box as soon as you
13:17arrive at the destination.
13:19These art supplies melt easily and can stain your car seats.
13:24Always plan your trip in advance if you intend to buy houseplants.
13:27If you know you won't be heading home straight after, make sure you purchase sturdy plants.
13:32Even mild temperatures of 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 50 degrees Fahrenheit can wilt away delicate plants within the hour.
13:40More so, if its leaves touch the windows, the cold glass might ruin the foliage.
13:45Even if it's a bigger plant, don't transport it in the trunk or let them stick out the window.
13:50And if it's really cold outside, make sure you warm up your vehicle before placing the plants in.
13:57Always make sure to drive with your shoes on, no matter how short the distance is or how hot it
14:01is outside.
14:02You might have to brake rapidly and find yourself unable to apply enough force with a bare foot.
14:07More so, if there's an emergency and you need to step out of the car, you might hurt your feet
14:12or waste time putting your shoes back on.
14:16If you like to travel with your bike or your scooter attached to your vehicle, you need to take special
14:21care of those pneumatic tires.
14:22Those that are air-filled and need a pump to inflate.
14:26They're also on the list of things not to leave in the car on a sunny day.
14:30That's because the extreme heat can cause the air inside the tires to expand.
14:34At times, even resulting in a blowout.
14:38Those high temperatures can also weaken the rubber, making you more exposed to a flat tire.
14:43Danger might await you anywhere.
14:45Scammers are getting more sophisticated in their attempts to get closer to you and use their skills to scam you.
14:51They use strange things like envelopes in the car and other weird stuff on the hood to target everyone, regardless
14:58of their age and background.
15:00Let's see how you can recognize the red flags and know what to do.
15:05It's late evening.
15:07You park your car in the supermarket slot, lock it, and go shopping.
15:10When you return, you see someone has wrapped a shirt around one of your windshield wipers.
15:16Don't pause to get the piece of clothing off your windshield if this really happens to you.
15:21Instead, get into your car as quickly as possible and drive away.
15:25Find a well-lit spot, preferably with other people around, and only then stop and toss the shirt out.
15:31It's a relatively new trick criminals use to distract lonely drivers' attention.
15:36The shirt or other sizable piece of cloth makes you stop and pull it off.
15:41While you're doing this, they can sneak up on you, and who knows what happens then.
15:46If you have shopping bags on you, it's best not to open your trunk either, as it also makes you
15:51vulnerable to prowlers and prevents you from acting fast.
15:55Toss the bags into the car and sort them out later when you're safe.
16:00What might be sending even more shivers down your spine is finding an envelope inside your car when you return
16:07to it.
16:07You definitely locked it, so someone was able to break in.
16:11First of all, remember basic security and drive off immediately.
16:15Then, best toss the envelope without opening it.
16:19There might be something nasty inside for all you know.
16:24But suppose your curiosity took the upper hand, and you still opened it.
16:28In that case, you might find a message inside that says something like,
16:32Here, sir, madam, we've tested your car's security and found it unsatisfactory.
16:37As you can see, your car can easily be broken into.
16:40We expect you to pay us for this test, and in return, we'll make sure to send someone to help
16:45you install a better security system.
16:48Well, it's good they've taken nothing, so toss the envelope away and disregard the message.
16:53If you pay scammers, they're likely to do it again, or even try something worse.
16:57The best you can do is go to a trusted car service and check your security system on your own.
17:02Or even replace the one you have if you're not sure of its capabilities anymore.
17:10A water bottle on your car's hood is a sign you're in grave danger.
17:15Like a clothing item on your windshield wipers, it's meant to distract you and make you get out of the
17:20car.
17:20But this case is even worse.
17:23Even if you don't go out to remove the bottle, or any other relatively large and distracting object,
17:28and drive home immediately, you might be up for something terrible.
17:32People who put the bottle on your car's hood might have installed a GPS tracker on your car,
17:37so driving home puts you at risk of them following you there.
17:41You should either find a safe spot with many people around and check your car for the tracker,
17:45or go straight to the nearest police station and ask them to do it for you.
17:51When a stranger asks you to take a picture of them and gives you a phone, don't be too quick
17:56to take it.
17:57Look at them first.
17:58If they look suspicious or unfriendly, it's better to refuse the request nicely.
18:04This might be a fraud.
18:06They give you the phone, you turn on the camera, and see that it's broken.
18:10The image in the photo is damaged.
18:12You give the stranger their phone back, and they accuse you of breaking the phone.
18:16They demand money and start making a scene.
18:19In such a situation, it's better not to panic and not to be provoked.
18:23Calmly leave.
18:24Make it clear that you won't fall for this.
18:27And if they behave too aggressively, then call the police.
18:36Thieves can put an advertising flyer, a newspaper, or a sticker on your house or apartment door.
18:41You can find a piece of paper or a thin strip from a plastic bottle in the doorway.
18:46If you don't remove one of these items for a long time, then the thieves understand that you're not at
18:52home.
18:52This way, thieves mark buildings and apartments that are easy to get into.
18:57After all, getting into an empty apartment is much safer.
19:01So, as soon as you see a foreign object, immediately get rid of it.
19:05If a flyer or bookmark hangs on the door for one or two days, it tells the thief that no
19:10one's home.
19:11Of course, these can be real advertising stickers, but you still don't need them.
19:16In addition to flyers, there may be strange labels on the house or apartment door.
19:21Numbers, crosses, or other symbols.
19:24It's how burglars mark houses they're about to break into.
19:27If you see such a sign, it's better to call the police.
19:34You're driving home from work and suddenly notice you're almost out of gas.
19:38That's weird, because you recently filled a full tank.
19:42You go to the gas station and to the car repair center to check if there is a gas leak
19:46in the vehicle.
19:47Meanwhile, robbers can take things out of your house.
19:51They deliberately drain the fuel from your car so that you'd go to the gas station.
19:55They detain you and buy time to clean out your home.
19:59If you're sure that you refueled recently and the gas was drained from you,
20:03you should call your neighbors and ask them to monitor your house or apartment.
20:10Burglars might stage some accident to lure you out of your house.
20:14Please don't fall for it.
20:16If there is actually some accident, it's always better to call 911.
20:20Also, beware of weird calls when someone calls you and keeps silent.
20:25If they started bothering you quite often,
20:27it could be a sign that your house is now a burglar's target and they want to check if you're
20:32home.
20:36Always make sure that the taxi meter is working when you get into a cab.
20:40If you take a seat and the driver tells you the meter is broken,
20:44you'd better get out at once and call another car.
20:46You could get charged much more than the regular fee without the meter,
20:50especially if you're not a local.
20:56Your car's broken down in the middle of an interstate, so you call a towing service.
21:00But in less than five minutes, a tow truck stops by and the driver offers you help.
21:06It's best to reject the offer politely.
21:08Granted, you'll have to wait longer, but at least you won't be overcharged.
21:12There are towing companies that take advantage of unfortunate drivers stranded in the middle of nowhere.
21:17This kind stranger might take your car prisoner until you pay double the regular charge.
21:23If you're not sure the tow truck that's arrived at your help is the one you called for,
21:28call the service again and ask for the number on the license plate.
21:36When you choose a parking spot, it's best to avoid those next to larger vehicles than yours.
21:41They block your line of sight, and you can quickly become the target for someone with bad intentions
21:46hiding behind the van or truck next to your car.
21:54When someone calls you and says they're representing your bank,
21:57be aware that bank employees will never ask you for your account information,
22:02including your PIN or a one-time code sent to your phone.
22:05If someone asks you for that, best hang up and call the bank on your own.
22:09Just use the number on its website.
22:18Paying with your bank card or through the e-wallet via a trusted service is the only safe way to
22:24pay online.
22:25If a company asks you specifically to pay in an unusual way,
22:29such as a gift card, a voucher, or a transfer to another bank card through your online banking app,
22:35mark it as a huge red flag for scammers.
22:37A real company wouldn't make you do that, and they'll also provide you with an electronic check afterward.
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