The high prices at the pump have made more and more people think about reducing gas consumption. Gone are the days when you filled up that SUV without a second thought. In addition to high fuel costs, more and more people are concerned about emissions and the greenhouse effect they are said to cause. Whether you want to save money or protect the environment, there are things you can do to use less fuel in your vehicle.
How you drive affects the amount of fuel you use. Drive at or below the speed limit instead of speeding. Regular driving at high speeds can increase your consumption by ten percent. Speeding is not only dangerous, it is also a waste of gas. When driving an automatic, shift gears as quickly as possible. Revving the engine between gears also increases your fuel consumption.
Don’t accelerate unnecessarily. Repeated braking increases consumption significantly, especially if the practice is habitual. Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front and maintain a constant driving speed. Repeated acceleration and braking is not only annoying and dangerous, it also uses more fuel.
Don’t be idle for long periods of time. Stop the engine instead of idling for long periods of time. Do this while waiting for your kids to get off the school bus or when you are stopped for a while because of a traffic accident. One of the reasons hybrid cars are so fuel efficient is that the petrol engine automatically shuts off when you brake.
Reduce the weight you carry in your vehicle. The more the car weighs, the more gas you use. Empty the trunk and back seat of all unnecessary luggage that adds weight. At the end of winter, remove sandbags and other gear you brought with you in case you get stuck in the snow. You don’t need these things in July.
Minimize the number of trips in your vehicle. Run multiple errands at once instead of taking short, frequent trips to run one errand after another. This not only saves gas, but also time. If you are just walking down the street, consider walking. Ponder the beauty of God’s world and offer a prayer of thanksgiving. This is great exercise and good for the soul and wallet.
The condition of your car affects how much gasoline it burns. Regular maintenance keeps your car running well and using less fuel. Give it a regular melody. Replace spark plugs and cables. Change oil, oil filter, air filter and fuel filter as needed. Regular tuning ups will help the car run better and stop wasting fuel.
If you still think you’re burning too much gas, have the car checked for leaks and gas consumption calculated. Gas or oil leaks increase your consumption. While you’re at it, check the fluid level every month. You can do this yourself or take the vehicle to a service station. Top up the fluid levels as needed. So it runs smoothly and efficiently.
Check the tires regularly. Leave them inflated to the highest pressure recommended in your owner’s manual. If you have the vehicle serviced, you should have the alignment checked. Have them rotated and replaced as needed. Excessive drag on the tires burns more gas. Regular tire maintenance can reduce this drag and save you money.
Use your air conditioner only when necessary. Constant use of air can increase your fuel consumption by ten percent. To keep the car cool, you should use a blind and park in the shade. This can prevent your vehicle from overheating. You may not need the air conditioning and use the air, it cools down significantly faster.
The car’s aerodynamic design can affect fuel economy. The more aerodynamic the vehicle, the less drag it creates as it moves through the air. Less resistance means less gas consumption. Additional features such as roof racks and stylish spoilers can increase drag and increase your fuel consumption.