Friday, April 18, 2008

Tips to improve your Gas Mileage

We've all heard the basics of fuel economy, keep your car in shape, drive more efficiently (i.e. do the speed limit). Here are some of those tips:
  1. Don't drive aggressively. Rapid acceleration and braking wastes gas. By driving sensibly you can save 5-33% ($0.18 - $1.80/gal.)
  2. Observe the speed limit. For every 5 mph over 60, you're paying an extra $0.20/gal.
  3. Use cruise control and overdrive gears for highway mileage.
  4. Keep your engine properly tuned. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. (up to $1.40/gal.)
  5. Check & replace air filters regularly. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
  6. Keep your tires properly inflated. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.
  7. Use the recommended grade oil for your car's engine. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
Finally, try to fill up at night or early in the morning. This way less gas escapes as vapor and you get more for your money.

Happy Saving!!!

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