While the type of vehicle you drive dictates a particular range of mileage, improving fuel economy can also be effected by many other factors. The way you drive can improve mileage, no matter the type of vehicle. In these ways you can save money, reduce emissions, and hedge your average spending during a gas price spike.
No matter what kind of car you drive, altering your driving style can have an effect on your fuel economy and gas mileage. Punching the accelerator is a notorious fuel burner. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking, especially on the freeway, does your mileage no favors either. Sensible driving can improve fuel use by up to thirty percent at highway speeds. The U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports that every five miles per hour over 65 mph represents a seven percent decrease in mileage. Using cruise control can make it easier to maintain a reasonable speed, and also improve your mileage by maintaining a steady speed, but only on flat roads.
Even in frigid climates, most modern, fuel injected engines don’t need to be warmed up. Thirty seconds, at the most. The heater will warm up the interior of the car quickly enough, and frosty windshields can be scraped of ice instead of waiting with the engine running for the defroster to melt it.
Just keeping your vehicle maintained will improve fuel efficiency. The owners manual will list the recommended grades of motor oil and octane. The manual will also list the mileage markers for tune ups and service scheduling. A regular tune up will untangle issues like a clogged filter or marred spark plug. During the tune up, the mechanic will be able to spot any serious issues under the hood. Tire pressure should be checked regularly, during and midway between oil changes are well timed. Tire inflation levels are listed on the tire itself, and in the owners manual. Fuel economy can improve up to three percent when driving on properly inflated tires.
Keeping your vehicle exterior clean and waxed improves aerodynamic drag, as does having the windows rolled up. If you can stand the windows up and the air conditioner switched off, you can double up on your fuel savings in regards to aerodynamics. If you’re just driving around town, you would be okay with the windows down, and better off with the air conditioning on while driving on the highway. Roof racks, even empty, increase drag and decrease fuel efficiency. A trunk full of heavy items will also reduce fuel mileage. Unloading one hundred pounds of excess weight increases mileage by up to two percent.
One strategy people use to maximize their gasoline spending is to gas up when the fuel is cold. On cold days and cool mornings, fuel is denser, and gas pumps measure by volume.
Something as simple as combining trips can save a surprising amount of fuel. One, longer excursion that combines your errands or stops can conserve half the fuel used in multiple, short trip. Put your hand on the hood twenty minutes after turning off your vehicle, and you’ll feel how hot is stays. A cold start uses more energy and gas than one while the engine is still warm. Also, minimizing the time you spend in heavy traffic will increase mileage. Going as far as staggering your driving times for work or school to circumvent rush hour will save you and your car from all the starting and stopping.
Better than trying to squeeze every drop from your gas tank, is to find alternatives to driving. Carpooling gives you a break from being behind the wheel, your car from the road, and cuts your emissions. But when it is necessary to drive, the methods above will help you to keep your car running better, save fuel, and money.
No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, altering your driving style can have an effect at your fuel economy and gas mileage. Inside information now at http://www.funandsafedriving.com/fuel-economy.html
