Our SponsorsDIY Projects |
|
7 Easy Tips to Save on Fuel this Summer
Posted on Mon May 12 2008
 1. Wash the car. Clean cars with a smooth waxed surface offer less wind resistance. Less wind resistance means less gas used. While you’re at it after or before cleaning your car remove anything else that may create wind resistance, flags, roof racks, etc. 2. Don’t top the tank. Excess gas will slosh over and out of the tank. Fill the gas tank until the first "click" of the automated fuel nozzle. 3. Keep you car maintained. A well maintained vehicle will operate with greater efficiency, help extend the life of your car, preserve its resale value, help you avoid costly repairs down the road, and will extend gas mileage. Because of this your car will last longer, drive better and will save you money at the pump. Examples of maintenances are: a. Clean air filters. Diminished airflow from dirty air filters restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and increases gas waste. b. Inflate the tires. Tires should always be inflated properly. Buy a digital gauge. Check your tires once a month (best to check when tires are cold: such as before you drive) and make sure those tires are full. Under inflated tires will wear down more quickly and will lower your vehicle’s gas mileage. Your vehicle’s owner's manual, or the data plate in the driver's doorjamb will provide you with the correct pressure amount information for your tires.
4. Don’t use the AC if you don’t have to. On a beautiful summer day consider opening the windows and turning off your vehicle’s AC. The exception would be driving at highway speeds. When driving at highway speeds it is more efficient to have the AC on low than to drive with wind resistance from open windows or an open sunroof. 5.This tip is meant for all people like my husband. CLEAN OUT YOUR CAR! Not only is it nasty to drive in a messy car, but it is also important to note that the more weight your car has to haul, the more gas it needs to drive it around. In addition if you have an SUV with a third row of seats you don’t use often, remove it. This will help lighten up the weight of your vehicle. 6. Drive at the speed limit. Believe it or not, it is safer and more fuel efficient to drive at the speed limit. A good feature to use on clear flat roads, during good weather, is Cruise Control. It makes it easier to stay the speed limit and it makes driving easier. 7. Plan your trip and combine errands. If you have multiple errands (grocery shopping, paying the bills, visiting family, etc.) during the week, map out all the places you need to drive to see which places are closest to each other. Combine errands according to proximity of their location and then drive accordingly. Remember a warm engine uses less fuel. There is no need to go back and forth across town for each individual errand. It is a waste of gas and time. More info. CommentsLet us know what you think! |
|
Subscription Zone
Popular ArticlesOur Sponsors |
|
I know that amongst my friends and family gas prices are probably in the top three of our conversations every time we speak. It's certainly something almost everyone's expressing concern over and any advice on how to reduce consumption is gratefully received and appreciated. Thank you for an informative article, Gloria!