Although I don’t drive much nowadays, I still find car expenses, sometimes, a little too high for me, specifically gas. Aside from that, I find riding the public transportation a little more convenient for me especially when I am alone since I don’t have to worry about where to park and if I am on the wrong driving lane again. Of course, I would like to thank my good genes and all those years of faithfully drinking my milk loaded with calcium as it enabled me to jump back and forth from one bus to another. I heard not all aging people can do it even those within my age range so I am glad I have these fairly strong bones in me!
Driving your own car has its own pros and cons. It provides security and, at the same time, privacy to do your own thing while driving which is really important for us seniors. However, if you use your car all the time and without any plausible excuse to do so, it can also kill your wallet and rock your budget off balance! On the other hand, there are those who don’t really have much choice but to bring their cars everytime they go out. If you inadvertently fall into this category, your only way out is to drive wisely.
Yes, the way you drive and use your car affects the amount of gas your car consumes. This only means that when seniors know how to drive wisely, it can actually save them money on gas. Here are some basic tips on how to drive wisely and save on gas money:
·    Maintain a constant speed. Seniors should avoid sudden braking or even unnecessary speeding. Stepping on the accelerator in a rapid fashion will also upset your car’s constant speed thus making your car guzzle more than what it normal should.
·    Go lightweight. While it is recommended that you car pool when going out, remove unnecessary weight when driving around such as the oh-so-heavy toolbox that’s been sitting, unopened for years inside your trunk. I am not implying that you don’t carry your toolbox as it is very important, just that you have to do without the things that are not so important and keep it at a minimum. You see, when you carry an excess load, it makes it harder for your car to move without giving it a little boost in acceleration.
·    Turn off engine if you need to stop for longer periods of time. A car in idle also consumes gas, more in fact, than when it is actually moving.
·    Use AC only when necessary. AC requires added gas consumption.
·    Keep a full tank if gas stations are mostly out of the way, if not then go for only the amount you need to lessen the car’s load.
·    Always use the right grade of motor oil for your car. You can ask your dealer about it or go search the internet for the correct specs when changing oil.