Gas prices have continually been on the rise for some time. There is, unfortunately, nothing that you can do to control the price you will pay at the pump. There are, however, some simple things you can do to improve how far your fuel will go, no matter what vehicle you drive.
Maintenance
Having a poorly maintained vehicle has one of the biggest impacts on your fuel economy. Changing your oil, changing the spark plugs and checking the drive-train at the proper times make a big difference. At the very least, you should get an oil, lube and filter change every spring and fall.
Make sure your tires are always properly inflated, according to the manufacturer's sticker; this is usually found on the driver side door. During cold weather, tire pressure will generally decrease and must be checked often.
Change the Way You Drive
Research has proven that when you drive above 60 miles [equivalent to 96.5 Km] per hour, your fuel economy greatly suffers. According to fueleconomy.gov, “each 5 mph [or 8 kph] you drive over 60 mph [96.5 kph] is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas [$0.06 per liter].” It may take longer to get to your destination, but the impact to your gas mileage is significant.
Other things, such as coasting as much as possible, not driving aggressively, planning and combining trips, and slowly accelerating to speed instead of pressing hard on the gas pedal will shave off the fuel costs. Not braking as hard will also extend the life of your brake pads.
Using your cruise control can save gas only if you are driving on flat terrain. If there are many hills, bumps or you are on a dirt road, keep the cruise control off. Although cruise control is better than a human at maintaining even speeds when the ground is flat, it is woefully inefficient at acceleration.
Contrary To Popular Belief
Most people think that running the air conditioner will increase fuel usage significantly, but this is simply not true. The difference between using the air conditioner and having an open window is about 1 mile per gallon.
Using high-octane gas will give better mileage only if the engine was made to use it. If the manufacturer suggests using only regular unleaded, using premium gas will not help you gain a better fuel economy.
According to studies done by the Environmental Protection Agency, products which claim to increase your gas mileage by a large margin most likely will not, and could actually damage your engine. It was found that only a few had any impact, and only slightly, at best.
Other Considerations
Studies have found that if you have a truck, leaving the bed gate down will not improve your gas mileage, but adding a cover to the bed can.
Removing as much weight and reducing drag from the vehicle as possible will also show improvement. Remove luggage, ski and bike racks, as well as any decorative fixtures you have added that were not designed specifically to make your vehicle more aerodynamic.
One of the simplest things you can do is to idle your vehicle as little as possible. It is important to warm up your car in the wintertime, but other opportunities exist to shut of your car when it doesn’t need to be burning gas. For example, you can shut your car off while waiting at a train crossing, or instead of ordering drive-thru, stop your car and order inside the restaurant. Your wallet and mother nature will thank you.
The next time you are at the pump for a fill up, remember these simple ways to improve your fuel efficiency. Aside from buying a new car, it’s you that makes the biggest impact on how much gas you use.
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