Improve Fuel Economy - How you can save gas
With gas prices high all over the country, everyone seems to be concerned with how they can improve fuel economy. I had not been too concerned with how to improve fuel economy until my husband and I purchased an SUV. Since then, we have had to make those gas dollars stretch, and, quite honestly, it has been tough. I now want all the advice I can get on how to improve fuel economy. Below are some ways in which all drivers can do that.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle. Make sure the air filter and oil filter are clean, and be sure to use the recommended types of filters for your vehicle. Doing these things alone can improve fuel economy by ten percent. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s recommendations have regular maintenance done by a dealer or reputable mechanic.
Do not carry excess weight around in your vehicle. Empty out your trunk and back seat of unnecessary items. Lighter vehicles require less energy to move, which will improve fuel economy.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. You can improve fuel economy by three percent if you keep your tires inflated properly. The 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. Buy a tire-pressure gauge and check your tires monthly, adding air as necessary.
Do not drive aggressively. In today’s world, we are always in a hurry to get where we need to go. Speeding, braking hard, and using a heavy foot on the gas pedal all contribute to lower gas mileage. Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go.
Using cruise control can improve fuel economy by helping you maintain a steady speed, but only if you are driving on mostly flat roads. If you are driving on hilly roads, using cruise control causes your vehicle to speed up faster than it would if you were operating the accelerator yourself.
Avoid excessive idling, as this is using up gas, but you are not going anywhere. When you leave your car running while you are waiting in line at the drive-through or waiting at the bus stop, you are wasting gas. You will improve fuel economy if you turn the engine off while you wait and then restart the car.
Combine your errands into one trip. By planning ahead, you can greatly improve fuel economy. When your engine is cold, it uses more gas than when it is warm. Combining errands can improve fuel economy because your engine will be warm for more of the trip. You may also travel less total miles.
Use your air conditioner only for highway driving. Running your air conditioner does cause your vehicle to consume more gas; however, driving with your windows rolled down can be even worse due to the increase of drag on the vehicle. If you are driving slowly, like in city traffic, it is smarter to roll the windows down instead of turning on the air conditioning.
I have tried to follow these tips to improve fuel economy; you should try them as well. It will save you gas and money.