There is no end in sight to high gas prices. The fuel economy of the means of transport is, at this moment an important factor in that means of transport being affordable and determines the total cost of ownership. Irrespective of the fact that your vehicle is new or used, there are easy methods that you can employ to improve gas mileage and increase mpg.
The first set of tips for improving gas mileage focuses on driving style. Cruising at a set speed requires much less fuel than accelerating. Accelerating quickly requires much more fuel than accelerating slowly. By accelerating more slowly up to your normal driving speed, you can improve gas mileage without driving any slower. Using the cruise control when possible also improves gas mileage because the cruise control better holds the vehicle’s speed steady.
The next set of advice includes tips on lifestyle. Idling the vehicles engine will get you nowhere when done for long periods of time seeing as it will just waste fuel. It is therefore suggested to avoid stop-and-go driving conditions to steer away from aggravating that type of situation. When necessary, changing routes or time of day when traveling proves most efficient. If possible, it’s best to combine multiple errands or destinations into one trip around town. Also, carpooling either to work or back home saves expenses on fuel.
The topics of car maintenance and repair are included in the final set of tips that can increase gas mileage. To maximize your vehicles fuel efficiency, make sure that the tires are inflated to their proper value. It’s important not to overinflate, as this can lead to uneven wear and even a decrease in the life of your tires.
You need to look at your owner’s manual and figure out the schedule for changing your air filter, fuel filter, and spark plugs. You should also have your exhaust system, engine timing, and valve clearances checked according to the schedule in your manual. If you have your car checked regularly you can improve your gas mileage and your vehicle will be less likely to break down and in general operate better for you.
Finally, avoid premium, high octane gasoline unless specifically advised otherwise by the owner’s manual. Most engines do not benefit from the higher octane or other expensive gasoline additives. Premium gasoline is only helpful for engines with “pinging” problems. These are usually older engines, and some specialized, high performance engines. Buying regular gasoline instead of premium won’t improve gas mileage, but will decrease the cost of the gas, and therefore increase mile-per-dollar efficiency.
There is no end in sight to high gas prices. A vehicle’s fuel economy is now a major factor in a vehicle’s affordability and total cost of ownership. Whether your vehicle is new or used, there are simple steps you can take to improve gas mileage and increase mpg. Using regular gasoline in lieu of premium instead will not improve your mileage. It will, however, enhance your efficiency by effectively reducing your cost of gas. When you detect pinging problems, then it might be useful to switch to premium gasoline.
- Stephan Grindley