Yes, it does! However, there are conditions that apply.
It could be pure curiosity that makes you wonder if cruise control could save gas. Or you might be looking for ways to cut corners with fuel prices soaring as high as they are. Either way, we’re here to offer answers to the question – Does cruise control save gas?
If you drive on a regular or semi-regular basis, or even at all, you’re likely to consider gas costs in your budget. People that commute to and from work tend to use more gas than those working remotely. The same goes for people who live in busy areas with a lot of traffic. There are some people who take advantage of public transport daily. Although they don’t have to set aside money for gas, they do set aside an amount for their metro card or bus pass.
Driving offers a lot of convenience and flexibility when it comes to getting from one place to another. It is estimated that 89% of all American adults have a driver’s license. This shows that a large majority of the population happen to drive and are likely to be affected by gas costs. That is why it is only natural for people to look for ways and means to save on gas.
Using cruise control to save gas
Coming back to the question, does cruise control save gas? The answer is yes. Cruise control does help save gas. This is especially true if you have:
- Flat roads
- No traffic congestion
- Longer drives
When you use cruise control, you maintain a steady speed. This helps you be more fuel-efficient because constant acceleration and deceleration caused by manually pressing and releasing gas pedals requires more fuel. In fact, if you set cruise control to 60 mph, you are improving your fuel efficiency by 17.2% on average.
Additionally, cruise control can lower your fuel consumption by 20% at high speeds. This could save you at least one or two miles per gallon! On average, Americans drive 14,263 miles a year. This accounts for a whole lot of driving and subsequent gas costs! If we consider the average gas price being $4.23 per gallon, using cruise control 1/3rd of your driving time could save you 12 gallons or $50 a year!
Why do people use cruise control?
Drivers may use cruise control for the advantages that this feature brings to us like:
- Making driving comfortable
- Ease of use
- Reducing the likelihood of speeding
- Fuel efficiency
When should you NOT use cruise control?
Despite its advantages, there are situations where using cruise control is not recommended. They are:
- Driving in hilly or mountain terrains
- In heavy traffic
- On winding roads
- Through weather conditions like hail, heavy rain, or snow
- On icy or wet roads
- When the driver is tired or drowsy
Please note that cruise control comes with risks. At the end of the day, you are still the driver operating heavy machinery. Cruise control is not autopilot. It is a feature that maintains consistent speed. It does not eliminate dangers of the road or climate conditions.
Is cruise control bad for your car?
No, cruise control is not bad for your car. On the contrary, cruise control is actually beneficial as it reduces the amount of manual acceleration and deceleration which contributes to wear and tear.
How to save on gas
It’s obvious that gas prices have skyrocketed in the early part of 2022. Some places were reporting prices as high as $7/gallon! Filling up a car once could easily be an $84 investment. Finding ways to easily save on gas is a modern-day problem with modern-day solutions.
Cruise control does help bring down your gas bill, but have you wondered if there are other ways to do the same? The good news is that there are! Some other ways to save on gas are:
- Driving slowly and smoothly
- Inflating your tires
- Switching to “eco mode” if your car has one
- Avoiding high traffic if possible
- Turning off your car when stalled in traffic
- Getting regular maintenance
- Removing extra weight from your car
- Using heating and AC only when necessary
- Planning your routes when running errands
- Carpooling to split the costs
- Signing up for a gasoline rewards program
- Choosing regular-grade fuel over the premium option
In addition to gas costs, auto repairs can consume a major chunk of your paycheck. Discover how you can keep that in check with our resource: Am I Spending Too Much on Auto Repairs?
Real numbers from real people
People everywhere are feeling the effects of gas price hikes.
Even our team is experiencing it. We have compiled a list of fuel expenses incurred by members of our team. This list will give you some insight into how much people are spending on gas. Every individual is unique and has a unique lifestyle. Some exclusively work from home or have spouses that do so. Others carpool to work. There are some who made the big shift to an electric vehicle which eliminated gas costs altogether. Let’s take a look!
Is it time to get an electric car?
We know that a lot of us have toyed with the idea of getting a fully electric car or even a hybrid model in recent times. In theory, it does sound like the greatest solution ever in the face of rising gas costs. However, in practicality, there are factors you need to consider before making a decision. They are:
- Most electric vehicles are expensive and you’re looking at some hefty monthly payments.
- Charging stations aren’t as common as gas stations, which could hamper road trips.
- It takes time to charge up an electric car even at the Tesla superchargers.
- Charging at home is the cheapest option but it is extremely time-consuming.
- The maximum range is about 300 miles before you need to charge.
- Since they’re relatively new, it could be tricky to find experienced auto mechanics if needed.
Why you should consider getting an electric car
If the above factors don’t seem to be major roadblocks, getting an electric vehicle might be the way to go. There are some obvious advantages to going electric such as:
- Never paying for gas again
- Never needing oil changes
- Charging at home for a fraction of what gas costs
- Being eco-friendly
- Experiencing superior driving
- Parking free in many places
- Not contributing to noise pollution
- Qualifying for federal tax credit
Conclusion
The American people have been affected by the hike in gas costs in the last few months. We are dealing with inflation while recovering from a global pandemic. Under these circumstances, we are always looking for ways to cut down on expenses. At Net Pay Advance, our focus is to help bring awareness to people regarding money and finances. Check out our blog for tips on adopting a financial-friendly lifestyle and more.
Times can get rough and we’re there for you if you ever need financial assistance. Check out our money saving tips blog for more ways to save. Or, contact us if you need a payday advance online or a short-term loan.
