Whether
you drive a two-seat hybrid or a three-ton SUV, chances are you can squeeze a
bit more distance out of each gallon of fuel -- and at today's gas prices, an
improvement of just one or two miles per gallon (MPG) can really add up. These
ten fuel saving tips have served me well over the years, and they can help you
improve your car's fuel economy and take some of the sting out of high fuel
prices. Most of these tips will give you a very slight increase in MPG -- but
use several together and the gas mileage improvements will really add up.
One of
the best ways to save gas is to simply reduce your speed. As speed increases,
fuel economy decreases exponentially. If you one of the "ten-over on the
freeway" set, try driving the speed limit for a few days. You'll save a
lot of fuel and your journey won't take much longer. (Just be sure you keep to
the right, so you won't impede the less-enlightened.)
2. Check your tire
pressure
Under-inflated
tires are one of the most commonly ignored causes of crummy MPG. Tires lose air
due to time (about 1 psi per month) and temperature (1 psi for every 10 degree
drop); under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which means you need
to burn more gas to keep your car moving. Buy a reliable tire gauge and check
your tires at least once a month. Be sure to check them when they are cold,
since driving the car warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which
increases pressure and gives a falsely high reading. Use the inflation
pressures shown in the owner's manual or on the data plate in the driver's door
jamb.
3. Check your air filter
A dirty
air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance
and economy. Air filters are easy to check and change; remove the filter and
hold it up to the sun. If you can't see light coming through it, you need a new
one. Consider a K&N or similar "permanent" filter which is cleaned rather
than changed; they are much less restrictive than throw-away paper filters,
plus they're better for the environment.
Jack-rabbit
starts are an obvious fuel-waster -- but that doesn't mean you should crawl
away from every light. If you drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the
transmission can shift up into the higher gears. Stick-shifters should shift
early to keep the revs down, but don't lug the engine -- downshift if you need
to accelerate. Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If you
accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, that's wasted fuel.
Ever
notice how, in bad traffic jams, cars seem to constantly speed up and slow
down, while trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely pace? A constant
speed keeps shifting to a minimum -- important to those who have to wrangle
with those ten-speed truck transmissions -- but it also aids economy, as it
takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it does to keep it moving. Rolling with the big rigs saves fuel (and
aggravation).
Consider
shutting off the air conditioner, opening the windows and enjoying the breeze.
It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds you'll save fuel. That said, at
higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open
windows and sunroof. If I'm going someplace where arriving sweaty and smelly
could be a problem, I bring an extra shirt and leave early so I'll have time
for a quick change.
New
wheels and tires may look cool, and they can certainly improve handling. But if
they are wider than the stock tires, chances are they'll create more rolling
resistance and decrease fuel economy. If you upgrade your wheels and tires,
keep the old ones. I have fancy sport rims and aggressive tires on my own car,
but I keep the stock wheels with a good narrower-tread performance tire in the
garage. For long road trips, the stock wheels give a smoother ride and better
economy.
If
you're the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car cleanliness -- and I
definitely fall into that category -- periodically go through your car and see
what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It doesn't take much to
acquire an extra 40 or 50 lbs. of stuff, and the more weight your car has to
lug around, the more fuel it burns.
If
you're shopping for a new car, it's time to re-evaluate how much car you really
need. Smaller cars are inherently more fuel-efficient, and today's small cars
are roomier than ever -- one of my favorite subcompacts, the Nissan Versa, has so
much interior room that the EPA classifies it as a mid-size. Worried about
crash protection? The automakers are designing their small cars to survive
crashes with bigger vehicles, and safety features like side-curtain airbags and
electronic stability control are becoming commonplace in smaller cars.
Not a
popular thing to say on a car site, I know, but the fact is that if you can
avoid driving, you'll save gas. Take the train, carpool, and consolidate your
shopping trips. Walking or biking is good for your wallet and your
health. And before you get in your car, always ask yourself: "Is this trip
really necessary?"
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