Gas Mileage Tips

With the cost of gasoline, many people are looking for better ways to get around for less money. With a few simple changes, most of us can realize a significant savings in the fuel costs for our vehicles.

  1. The single most effective, but often the most difficult to effect, is to change your driving habits. The right foot often sets the pace for the consumption rate of fuel. A heavy foot, jack rabbit starts, surging up to the rear end of a car and dropping back, needless revving the engine, will takes its toll at the pump, it can lower your mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% percent around town.
  2. Avoid excessive warming up of the engine. Even on cold mornings, 30 seconds is lots. If it takes longer running before it is drivable, you need to have it looked at by a mechanic. Consider using a block heater for a couple of hours before you start the engine. If you drive an older vehicle with a choke, not fuel injection, be sure that the choke is working properly.
  3. Observe the speed limit. While each car has a different optimal speed at which it gets its best fuel mileage, fuel consumption increases rapidly over 100 kph.
  4. Keeping the engine is good tune not only saves fuel, but is a better driving experience and provides peace of mind. Knowing your car will start on a cold rainy night is worth it alone. Your sparkplugs, ignition wires and air filter are the top items of concern. You should have your mechanic go through your car at least twice a year.
  5. Tires do not roll easily when low on air pressure. Low tire pressure can account for up to a 10% increase in fuel consumption. Tire wear increases rapidly when tire pressure is below the manufacturer’s recommendation. Tire pressure should be checked before any trips, and before winter arrives as a tire’s air pressure will go down with the colder temperatures. Tire pressure should be checked when they are cold, not just off the freeway. Refer to the owner’s manual or on the driver’s door post sticker.
  6. Roof racks cause air drag which results in your engine working harder to move the car. A loaded roof rack can reduce your fuel economy by 5%. If they are not needed, remove them until you need them.
  7. Excess weight. Got extra stuff in the trunk that you just don’t get around to removing. Sand or salt bags, shovel, an large tool box? Your engine uses move fuel to get that extra weight up to speed every time you accelerate.
  8. Plan your trips and shopping to combine your errands. Several short trips from a cold start use more fuel than a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
  9. Use your cruise control whenever possible.
  10. Consider using a quality synthetic oil for less engine friction. It reduces wear, runs cooler and increase engine life as well.
  11. Carpool. Sharing a ride with coworkers is a great way to reduce fuel costs and emissions.
  12. Minimize the use of your air conditioner. It takes extra fuel to run the air conditioning system, but most newer cars are so aerodynamic that driving at highway speeds with the windows open uses more fuel than using the air conditioner with the windows closed!
  13. Resting your foot on the brake pedal can cause the brakes to drag, increasing fuel consumption and brake wear.
  14. Consider a smaller or newer car. If your needs can be met with a smaller vehicle, or a newer more fuel efficient vehicle, you can save a considerable amount of money. Hybrid an alternate fuel vehicles offer some of the lowest, cost per kilometer, of many new vehicles.
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