Improve Gas Mileage With These Simple Tips
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.
In order to achieve the best gas mileage you need to ensure maintenance and repairs are up to date on your vehicle. For example, tires should contain the correct amount of air to get the best gas mileage, but be sure not to over inflate as that could lead to a decreased tire life.
The air filter, fuel filter, and spark plugs should be changed on the schedule advised in the vehicle’s owners manual. The exhaust system, engine timing, and valve clearances should also be inspected and adjusted as advised by the owner’s manual. Besides improving gas mileage, regular maintenance will extend the operational life of the vehicle and decrease the risk of an unexpected break-down.
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