Around Town Lowest Gas Prices Gas Saving Tips
| Gas Saving Tips |
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| Written by Rob Hegner | |
| Tuesday, 10 June 2008 10:19 | |
 There are many ways to save gas that are just normal maintenance items you should be doing on a regular basis. Then there are other ways that require a change in driving habits. Utilizing both will net you some significant savings and are effective immediately. Lets get started...1. Tire Pressures: Yes, you have been told time and time again about making sure to check your tire pressures on a regular basis but this is essential to reduce what is called "rolling resistance". A tire that is low on air will create more friction which in turn will take more gas to push your vehicle. Not to mention you'll also cause premature tire wear. So this simple little procedure has a two fold benefit, better gas mileage and decreased tire wear so you'll save money on both ends. And tires are getting more expensive because they are made with petroleum products! The best time to check them is when the tires are cold. Get yourself a small air compressor that you can plug into the lighter or power socket and adjust the pressures before you drive the vehicle. These are not terribly expensive and you can put it in the trunk. Go with the vehicles manufacturer recommendations and add a couple of extra pounds to that. Just be sure not go over the maximum pressure ratings of the tire itself. There really is no harm in going to the limit but not over. Why not get 5% cash back on gas purchases with a Discover Card? An air filter is a relatively easy thing to replace and for the most part you should be able to replace one yourself. If you frequent dusty conditions you should replace it more often than regular driving conditions. Check your owners manual for the schedule. If an air filter gets clogged up you are literally "choking" the engine and depriving it from a smooth air flow. This in turn will increase your fuel consumption. Even with electronic fuel injection constantly monitoring and adjusting fuel flow according to engine demands, a dirty air filter will prevent the engine computer from adjusting the fuel/air mixture to maximum efficiency. Is your engine running rough or stumbling? This can be caused by a variety of problems, the most common being ignition and/or fuel. A rough running engine will really eat into your mileage! Today's fuel injected engines are highly complex systems that require scanners to diagnose on-board engine computers and vehicle sensors. This, of course, is best left to a professional vehicle technician. If you have any engine running problems try to take care of them as soon as possible because not only will you suffer poor gas mileage, you stand the chance of causing permanent engine damage. 3. Wheel Alignment: An improperly aligned vehicle can also contribute to poor gas mileage by creating "rolling resistance" as mentioned above. You will also experience premature tire wear. You should have it checked a least once a year. 4. Use Cruise Control: Using your cruise control will maintain a steady engine speed which is beneficial for optimal fuel savings. Of course this is not always possible on regular roads and is best suited for highway driving. 5. Shut Off The Engine: If you happen to be in a traffic jam or you pull up to talk to a friend for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Remember, when you sit idle for a period of time you are getting zero miles per gallon! 6. Close Your Windows: When driving at higher speeds with the windows open you create "drag" which is an aerodynamic term for wind resistance. At lower speeds it is not as much of an issue. The aerodynamics of a vehicle is governed by the body style. 7. A/C Usage: There is somewhat of a conflict with closing your windows and A/C usage. You have to be the judge in terms of comfort and fuel savings. It also depends on the time of year. If you are driving below 50 mph and it's a hot day, go ahead and drive with your windows open and the A/C off if you are comfortable. At higher speeds, close your windows and turn on the A/C. There really is no hard set rule to balancing A/C usage and keeping the windows open or closed. Just use your better judgement when making this decision. Also, park in the shade whenever possible. When you do have to turn on the A/C it will reduce the time to cool your vehicle and you won't have to turn it on "full blast" and waste fuel when you hop into a hot car. 8. Keep It Light: Check your trunk! Do you really need all of that stuff in there? An extra 100 lbs can reduce your mileage by about 1 - 2%. 9. Take It Off: If you have a roof rack with several items strapped down on it, remove them if practical. This can shave about 5% off of your mileage. Even those enclosed units that appear to be aerodynamically designed will still produce wind resistance or "drag". 10. Where Is Your Foot?: Do you rest your foot on the brake pedal? If so, you are creating drag which will affect your gas mileage. Another downside is premature brake wear. Modify Driving Habits For Better Gas Mileage
Plan Your Trips: Make your list of things you need to do and complete them all in one trip. This is a much better approach than making many small trips to and from the store. If you do this effectively, you'll see your fuel cost per week drop significantly.
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Around Town Lowest Gas Prices Gas Saving Tips
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