Tips and tricks on how to save gas at the
pump and give you better fuel economy on the road.
Like it or not, gas prices will climb
again, but this time you can be ready with our arsenal of tips to help you save
at the pump. It may not be enough to treat the family to filet at the end of
the week, but every dime counts now more than ever.
Stay on top of
maintenance
Staying on top of car maintenance is
perhaps the best way to ensure that you’re getting the absolute most out of
every gallon that goes into the tank.
Some advice: Oil changes are an important
factor in achieving better gas mileage. Oil becomes thicker as it ages, and the
thicker it becomes, the more energy it robs from your engine, taking your
better gas mileage with it.
There is some evidence that switching to
synthetic oil, which tends to resist breaking down better than traditional
lubricants, can increase mileage as well. It’s important to remember however
that synthetics are slightly more expensive.
Similar to oil changes, transmission fluid,
transfer case fluid (if your vehicle is an all-wheel drive) and differential
fluid (if your vehicle is rear wheel drive) should all be changed regularly to
ensure better mileage. Just like your oil, these lubricants get thicker as they
age, providing more resistance as mechanical parts run through them.
Your vehicle’s engine operates by pulling
large amounts of air into its combustion chamber. That air has to pass through
a filter that gets clogged over time. Little bits of gravel, dust, trash, bugs,
grass and just about anything else you drive through can clog the filter,
making it more difficult for your engine to breathe. Making sure your air
filter is clean can add to your vehicle’s fuel economy.
Watch your tire’s air
pressure
Aside from your car’s aerodynamics, your
tires provide some of the greatest resistance as you roll down the road.
Checking the air pressure in your tires to make sure they even and correct is a
good step toward saving pennies. If you’re brave, you can slightly over-inflate
them as well, decreasing the area where your tires touch the road. This can
increase your mileage, but it will also increase your tire wear.
Clear out your car
Moving away from maintenance, cleaning out
all the junk you have accumulated is a good way to see a few more miles as the
extra weight is causing your vehicle to work harder and consume more fuel.
While you could refuse to give your co-workers a ride as well, that’s generally
antisocial and probably wouldn’t go over very well once you got to work.
Modify you driving
style
Perhaps the biggest factor in extending a
tank of gas is changing your driving style. Gently accelerating away from a
stop, coasting when possible (if your vehicle is a manual) and not being
aggressive in traffic can literally add two to three miles per gallon each time
you fill up.
While these changes won’t net you enough
savings to cover your kid’s college fund, they can mean a couple of extra
dollars per month.
Tips and tricks on how to save gas at the
pump and give you better fuel economy on the road.
By Zach Bowman, DriverSide Contributor.
Ten Gas Saving Tips
1. Lose the weight: clean all unnecessary
items out of your car, the
heavier the better ;
2. Keep your oil clean ;
3. Keep the less thought about lubricants
clean ;
4. Replace your air filter regularly ;
5. Check your tire pressure and ensure it’s
even ;
6. Go easy on the throttle ;
7. Slow down ;
8. Coast when you can ;
9. Use the proper fuel grade for your
vehicle ;
10. Try to avoid stop and go driving.
