Little Known Ways to Improve Fuel Economy

Little Known Ways to Improve Fuel Economy

There is not a single driver among us who would not prefer to spend less of their hard-earned cash at the fuel pump.  That is why people are becoming more and more aware of the many simple and cost effective ways that they can improve their fuel economy.  However, what do you say to people who are already familiar with the basics?  Fortunately, there are many little known ways that you can improve your gas mileage.
Just about everyone knows that if you want to save gas, you need to drive slower.  After all, that is common sense.  Even though you can save a lot of gas by going slower on the highway, many people are unwilling to do so, for instance.  The trick is to find ways to increase gas mileage without having to do things that you are not willing to do in the long term.  That is what these tips will help you do.
First of all, stop neglecting the regular maintenance that your car needs!  According to studies, a dirty air filter can cost you up to 20% of the gas mileage you should be receiving.  A quick change of spark plugs can increase your fuel economy by over 10%!  Also, many people are not aware that they can increase their gas mileage simply by keeping their tires properly inflated!
Similarly, too many drivers are carting around a vehicle full of unnecessary things that are robbing them of valuable gas mileage.  For every 250 pounds of excess gear in your car, you can count on around one mile per gallon lost!  Also, make sure that you take bike racks and other items off of your vehicle when it is not the proper season.  It may take a few minutes, but such items produce extra wind resistance, which makes your vehicle work harder to accelerate or maintain speed.
You can even save some money on gas while you’re spending money- at the gas pump, that is.  For example, when the auto shut off kicks in, do not squeeze in a couple of extra cents to make the dollar amount even.  This is one of the ways in which people waste money, since most of that extra gas will not end up properly going in the tank.  Also, most drivers are unaware that a loose gas cap can not only cause your “service engine” light to go on, but can also result in lost gasoline, which escapes as vapor out of the tank!

Finally, make sure that you use your car’s features to their maximum effect.  You can save a little money on gas by using your cruise control often, since your engine will not be working to match the fluctuations in pressure that you are putting on the gas pedal.  Also, make sure that you use the overdrive function when possible, since it allows your engine to avoid overworking itself.

Driving and maintaining your vehicle in a way that allows for increased fuel economy is mostly a matter of having the proper knowledge, then putting that information to work.  It is vital that you not only know the methods for increasing gas mileage, but that you are consistent in their implementation, unless you want to keep visiting the gas station regularly!
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Coast Your Way to Gas Savings

Coast Your Way to Gas Savings

Everyone is frustrated about the continued price hikes for gasoline, but there are very few concrete answers or solutions to the problem.  At this point in the game, many drivers are looking for ways to alter the only thing they can truly control, which is their own personal gas consumption.  Luckily for thrifty drivers, there are many very simply ways that you can ease up on the gas, and in the process, ease up on your gas usage.  If you become a more opportunistic driver and are aware of what is going on around you, there are many times when you can let off the gas a bit and save some fuel, as a result.  These minor changes to your driving style can pay you big dividends in the end, as you will use much less gasoline.
Many drivers suffer from a bad case of lead foot, and not just on the highway, either.  If you look around the next time you’re on the road, you will see many such drivers.  Is it a result of impatience, or just bad habits?  It could be both, but it is not hard to change your driving style for the better, without costing yourself extra time on the road in the process.  This way, you can spend less money at the gas pump, while going a bit easier on your car as well.
The gas pedal is not always your friend, as many drivers should be able to attest to.  If you are among the many drivers who is nearly always accelerating, think about whether that is a smart decision or not.  If you are nearing a stop light or stop sign, do you really need to continue to have your foot pressed down on the gas right up until it is time to stop?  Doing so does not save you any time, as you will have to stop anyway, particularly at red lights.  There is no prize for reaching the light in a quicker amount of time, as you will have to wait for it to turn green, anyway!
Instead of impatiently roaring up to a red light, if you notice a light has turned red, take your foot off the gas.  You can begin coasting, and if you are lucky, you will still be doing so when the light turns green again.  Then, you can merely put your foot back on the gas and continue on without ever having had to stop.  Your car will work a lot less if it can accelerate to a good speed from a “rolling start” rather than from a complete stop, so if you are going, say, 20 miles per hour when the light changes, you are saving your car a lot of gas.  Like we discussed, since the light is red anyway, why would you speed towards it as quickly as possible?  This kind of driving causes wear on your brakes, increased gas usage, and doesn’t get you where you are going any more quickly.  The same kind of strategy applies to turns.  Do not accelerate until the last minute, then slam on the brake to make your turn.  Instead, coast for a few seconds, then ease on your brake before the turn.

It simply makes no sense to always be accelerating on the road.  There are times, such as when someone ahead of you is turning, when it makes much more sense to simply coast until you can accelerate again (once they have turned out of the way).  Sure, you could stay on the gas pedal and accelerate right up to their bumper before getting on the brake.  How would this benefit you, though?  It doesn’t!  Since driving a little bit less aggressively will save you gas (which saves you money) and does not cost you any time, why not make a few changes to your driving philosophy today?