Commercial Auto Dealers

Do you want to save more gas? Who doesn’t these days? But you want to make sure those measures you’re taking are actually working. Here are three more pieces of gas-saving advice that don’t actually increase your fuel efficiency.

4. Use Premium Gas
Many people have given the advice that premium gas gives your car better gas mileage. If you just bought a vehicle from your local GMC truck dealer, you might even notice that the manual says that premium fuel is “recommended.” But that doesn’t mean it’s necessary. The only thing that happens when you use regular instead of premium is that the engine automatically adjusts the spark plug timing. You might lose a little bit of horsepower as a result, but you won’t notice it unless you’re drag racing.

5. Fill ‘er Up in the Morning
One longtime gas myth is that you get more fuel if you get gas in the morning. People say that since colder liquids have a thicker density, you get more gas molecules while the weather is colder. This isn’t true. The gasoline temperature doesn’t really change throughout the day. As a result, you’re not really getting any more than you would later in the day.

6. Changing the Air Filter
This tops most lists of ways to save gas. But modern cars have sensors that adjust the fuel-air mixture according to the cleanliness of the air filter. The engine does lose a bit of power if the air filter gets extremely clogged, but the difference is really unnoticeable.

There you have it. Now you can tell people that they’re wrong when they tell you that you should use one of these ways to save gas. Isn’t it great when you know something that they don’t?

It is that time of year again, when high school juniors and seniors are consumed by thoughts of their proms. Prom is the major social event of an entire high school career, and teens want to go all-out. Yet the economic realities of today can put a damper on high priced dreams. Nonetheless, enterprising teenagers and their families are finding ways to lower costs while maintaining the best traditions of the event. Here are a few tips on saving money at the prom.

Share a Limo
While some teens choose to drive themselves to the prom, a limo is an important factor in many teens’ prom plans. There is no reason to forego the limo if the expense is shared among a group. Most limos will hold at least eight to ten passengers, making the price per person quite reasonable. Parents may also like the security of knowing that their kids have a safe ride to and from the dance.

Make Your Own Dress or Have One Made
Prom has become big business, and many dresses rival the cost of bridesmaid dresses. Rather than drop $200 or more on a dress that you may wear only once, why not design your own? You can make it yourself if you have the skills, or hire a local dressmaker. You will have the added benefit of ensuring that no one else will be wearing your dress.

Consider a Caterer
Dinner is a big part of most teens’ prom night, but restaurant costs can add up quickly. Some teen groups have started hiring a private caterer. You will get a personalized menu at a fraction of the cost.

The Bottom Line
Prom is the biggest social event of a high school career. Today’s difficult economy has led enterprising families to develop create ways of cutting costs while providing the prom experience of their dreams. Sharing your limo, designing your own dress and hiring a caterer are just a few easy ways to keep the costs down and enjoy a memorable prom night.