Improving Gas Mileage in Your Car
Small Changes Can Improve Fuel Efficiency
With the high price of gasoline, consumers need to find ways to save money. Making some simple adjustments in driving style and keeping your car maintained can help.
Gasoline has hit record highs and there doesn’t seem to be much relief in sight, at least not for a while. With the increased prices come consumers' worries of how to save money, without giving up many of the conveniences they are used to.
The U.S. Department of Energy provides a number of suggestions for consumers to help increase the fuel efficiency of their car and therefore reduce the cost of gas:
Driving the Speed Limit
Driving the speed limit is safer, but in addition it may save you more than $0.20 per gallon of gas. For every 5 mph over 60 that you drive, it is like paying $0.20 more per gallon of gas. So, if you normally travel at 70 mph, you are spending $0.40 more per gallon of gas than the car you passed at 60 mph. Using cruise control while driving on the highway will help you keep a constant speed.
Driving Style
There are a number of ways you can save on gas without changing your daily commute or the amount of time you spend in your car. Simply reducing speeding, accelerating slowly and braking carefully can improve fuel efficiency by between 5% and 33%.
Reduce the Weight in Your Car
Although there are certain items you should carry in your car, such as a spare tire, any extra weight in your car decreases your fuel efficiency. An extra 100 pounds in your car could increase your fuel needs by 2%. Keep in mind this affects smaller cars more than larger ones and the percentage of extra weight is relative to your vehicle’s weight.
Avoid Idling the Engine
The larger the car, the more gas that is wasted when a car is idling. If your car idles for more than 2 minutes, it would use less gas to turn the car off and then back on again. Cars built today do not require warming up. You should be able to begin driving 45 seconds to one minute after starting the car.
Automobile Maintenance
Keeping your car tuned can increase fuel efficiency by up to 4%. Replacing clogged air filters improves gas mileage by up to 10%. Air filters also protect your engines by keeping impurities from damaging the engine.
Properly Inflated Tires
Under-inflated tires causes car engines to work harder, using more gas. Check the tire pressure on a regular basis to be sure they are properly inflated. This can improve gas mileage by up to 3%. You can find the recommended tire pressure on a tag in your car or in the owner’s manual.
Use the Correct Motor Oil
Gas mileage can be improved by between 1 and 2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. The recommended motor oil should be listed in your owner’s manual. In addition, some motor oils contain friction-reducing additives that will help to improve fuel efficiency. These are marked “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol. Use these types of motor oil.
Source:
Gas Mileage Tips, Fueleconomy.gov, U.S. Department of Energy
