With fuel prices going up at an alarming rate,
and no end in sight, everyone is looking for ways to increase
their vechicles' gas mileage.
Here are some simple things you can do to improve your fuel economy,
no matter what type of vehicle you drive.
Follow the Recommended Maintenance
A well-maintained vehicle will operate
with greater efficiency, improving both the fuel economy and the
overall vehicle
performance. Fouled spark plugs, a dirty air filter or clogged
fuel filter will decrease fuel economy. According to the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE), replacing a clogged air filter can increase your
mileage by 10 percent, while replacing an oxygen sensor could result
in an improvement as high as 40 percent. Check your owner's manual
for your vehicle's recommendations and have maintenance performed
regularly.
Use the Proper Octane Gas and the Recommended Grade of
Motor Oil
Using the recommended gas type and grade of motor
oil will provide optimum fuel economy, and can save you money as
well.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Tires with low pressure require more energy
to roll, increasing fuel usage, You can improve your fuel economy
by keeping your tires inflated properly. The psi number noted
on the sidewall of your tires is the maximum pressure of the tire
and
is not the proper inflation level for your car. Your vehicle
manufacturer will list the recommended tire pressure in your owner's
manual, or
on a sticker on the doorjamb of the driver-side door. Inflate
your tires to the upper limit of the manufacturer's recommendations.
Check tire
pressure when the tires are cold for accurate, consistent readings.
Buy a tire-pressure gauge and check your tires monthly, adding
air as necessary.
Keep Wheels Aligned
Be sure that your front suspension is properly aligned.
Poor alignment increases tire function, causes premature tire wear,
and requires extra gas to move the vehicle.
Remove Unnecessary Items From Vehicle to Lighten
the Load
Carrying excess weight in the vehicle will also impact your
mileage. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. An extra 100
pounds in the trunk will reduce your fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent
in the typical vehicle. If you have a roof rack or roof carrier,
install it on your vehicle only when absolutely necessary. Not only
does the carrier add extra weight, but it also increases the aerodynamic
drag on your vechicle, which further contributes to a loss of fuel
economy.
Drive Conservatively
Hard accelerations, fast starts, braking
hard, abrupt maneuvers, constant braking, and speeding all decrease
fuel economy. On surface streets, driving at the speed limit will
give you mostly green lights, which improves your gas mileage as
well as reduces the wear on your brakes. On the highway, every 5
mph you drive over 65 mph averages 7-percent decrease in fuel economy.
Buy Gas From Busy Gas Stations
Since their tanks are refilled often,
it is less likely to get gas with water, rust, or other impurities.
Bad gas hurts mileage, Busy stations are more likely to have frequent
pump accuracy inspections.
Use Gas Pumps with Vapor-Recovery Nozzles
They look like black plastic accordians attached to the
nozzle, which curb emissions. These nozzles are designed to shut
off when the gas tank is at its optimum fullness. Trying to "top-off" the
tank manually could lead to overfilling and spilling.
Avoid Idling the Vehicle
When a car is idling, it is using
fuel. On vehicles with fuel-injected engines, there is no
need to warm up the car first. It is more efficient to turn the
engine off
while you wait in line at the drive-thru, or waiting for someone,
and when you are ready to move, restart the car.
Cooling the Vehicle in Hot Weather
Using the air conditioning in hot
weather increases fuel consumption, but driving with the windows
rolled down will increase the drag on the vehicle, which will also
increase fuel consumption. When driving in stop-and-go traffic, leaving
the windows open is more prudent, as the drag on the vehicle is less
than driving at high speeds. For highway driving, roll up the windows
and turn the air conditioning on.
Combining Errands Can Save Fuel and Time
Combining errands can improve gas mileage because your engine
will be warm after the initial start. It may also reduce the mileage
from what would be used in seperate trips. A cold engine uses more
fuel than when it is warm. Several short trips with a cold start
can use twice as much fuel as a single, longer trip that covers the
same distance.
