Do you have an Uber driving gig? If so, you’re all too familiar with the perpetual struggle of paying for gas. But don’t despair – there’s a ray of hope. Yes, it may seem like no matter how hard you try, gas is always expensive, and pocketing more cash from your fares never seems possible.
However, by making simple changes to your everyday habits as a driver – such as factoring in traffic conditions or staying at the same speed – who says saving money isn’t achievable? Read on if you want to learn about creative new ways that could get those extra pennies in your pocket.
Keep the Car Tuned Up
You may have heard it a lot. But it’s true. It can do wonders to your gas bill if you keep your car tuned up. Keep a regular check on the air filter, oil levels, and tire pressure to ensure that all is in order. Here is how it works. If there is an issue with any of these components, it can cause extra friction or resistance, which in turn requires more fuel to operate the car. This means your gas will be used up faster, and a simple maintenance task could have saved you from that hassle.
Map Out the Route and Avoid Heavy Traffic
Relying too much on the GPS to get you from A to B can often add a few extra miles, which could be completely unnecessary. This is because you’ll often get stuck in traffic jams, having to go around the same route multiple times. To avoid this, it is best to plan ahead and map out the route. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, particularly during peak times or rush hour, to avoid getting stuck in gridlock.
Befriend With Cruise Control
Say it with me – cruise control is your new best friend. If you have an automatic car, then you should definitely make use of the features to maintain a steady speed. This helps as it saves on energy and avoids sudden accelerations, which can put strain on the engine and cause more fuel to be used up in the process. Aside from that, by maintaining a steady speed, you can also make sure that your car is running at an optimum level, and you’ll be able to save up more money.
Use the AC Only When Necessary
The gap time between providing a ride and starting another can sometimes be long. So during this time, it’s highly advised to turn off the AC if you’re not using it, as this will help save on fuel costs. Instead of running the air conditioner nonstop, you can open up the windows when driving in moderate temperatures. This way, your car won’t heat up, and you’ll be able to save on electric costs as well.
Kick in the Highest Gear Possible
This may sound counterintuitive, but what it means is to keep the car in higher gears as much as possible. This will help reduce fuel consumption and save more money – you just need to make sure that you don’t accelerate too fast or else it’ll have an adverse effect on your engine. The reason why it is so important to keep the car in higher gear is that it helps reduce strain on the engine and ensures that your car uses as little fuel as possible.
And there you have it – some great tips for Uber drivers that will help them save money on to gas. Keep in mind that every penny counts, and by implementing small changes such as the ones mentioned above, you can truly make the difference between a profit or loss. After all, who doesn’t want to save money?