 |
Keep
your car clean. Mud on the
undercarriage can weigh a
significant amount and slow you
down. |
|
Consolidate your daily trips and
errands. This will also save you
the cost of restarting your
engine, which uses a lot of gas.
|
|
Avoid
air conditioning when possible.
However, when driving at higher
speeds, having your windows open
also creates drag. |
|
Don’t
throttle the gas or brake! Sudden
starts or stops use more gas than
gradual changes of speed.
|
|
Don’t
idle for too long. Turn off the
engine if you anticipate a lengthy
wait. |
|
Limit
car warm-ups in winter |
|
Clear
out the trunk. More weight, more
drag. |
|
Avoid
high speeds. We know this is
almost impossible to resist but
you can improve your gas mileage
about 15 percent by driving at 55
mph rather than 65 mph.
|
|
Use
overdrive. If your car is equipped
with overdrive gearing use it as
soon as your speed is high enough.
|
|
Use
cruise control. Keeping a constant
speed is ideal for improving your
gas mileage. |
|
Improve
the spark to your engine. This
way, the air and fuel mixture will
be burnt better. |
|
Improve
your intake/output system. Helping
gas get in and exhaust out of your
vehicle will improve overall
performance and gas mileage.
|
|
Reduce
friction. Use high-quality or
synthetic motor oil. |
|
Check
your oil! Low oil makes your
engine work harder. |
|
Change
your filters. Dirty filters can
sometimes increase the amount of
fuel your vehicle is using by 10
percent. |
|
Keep
tires properly inflated and
aligned. Check regularly to ensure
your wheels are fully inflated and
your alignment is good.
|
|
Get
regular engine tune-ups and car
maintenance checks. A lot can go
wrong with a car. Damaged spark
plugs or transmission problems can
also contribute to poor gas
mileage. |
