Nov 2008
16
by savingtools
Posted In: automotive
The top twelve tips for better gas mileage that will help you save fuel:
- Trade in that guzzler. Have an older car ? The auto manufactures have made huge improvements in gas mileage, and the savings you get may allow you to spend a bit more on car payments and still put money back in your pocket.
- Go the speed limit. Every 5mph over 60 costs you an extra $.30 per gallon.
- Remove excess weight. If you have 100 pounds of junk in your backseat or trunk, you are losing 2 mpg. You'll save gas with these ideas.
- Use your cruise control. The steady speed allows your engine to be more efficient, saving 7% or more on longer trips.
- Overdrive.If you have it, ensure that your overdrive is on...many cars have a button to turn it off for towing. But, driving around with it off will cause a significant drop in mpg.
- Don't drive aggressively. Edmunds, a major publisher in the car industry, found that driving moderately saves 31-37% in gas mileage.
- Excessive idling. Shut off your car if you are going to be stopped for more than one minute.
- Keep your engine in tune. A car that's running badly will get gas milage that's up to 30 percent lower than a well running car of the same make and model.
- Replace your air filter. See this tip for the surprising amount of money it can save.
- Replace your gas cap. A gas cap that doesn't seal properly allows the gasoline to evaporate, and also confuses modern fuel injection systems.
- Park in the shade. That will reduce the load on your A/C, in turn saving a bit of gas.
- Use quality motor oil.You can improve your car's gas mileage by 1 percent to 2 percent by using high quality motor oil. Look for the words "energy conserving" on the API performance label. This type of oil contains friction-reducing additives.
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Comments
Hi Bill-- these are excellent
Submitted by healthiacynthia (not verified) on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 13:35.
Hi Bill-- these are excellent tips...
My husband likes to add in another one: Add 3 to 4 ounces of acetone* to every 10 gallons (Canadian-- so use it every 12 gallons American). It combines chemically to create increased fuel efficiency and a cleaner burn saving the environment along with saving you cash. He buys the acetone at Walmart for about $3.
(*acetone is a solvent so be careful not to drip anyplace where you don't want paint removal to result)
~Cynthia blogging at www.positively-vibrant.blogspot.com
Re: Top 12 tips for better gas mileage
Interesting. Hadn't heard of adding acetone to the gasoline. I may try that. Thanks for the kind words, and I'll be sure to visit your blog.
Also, I changed the comment settings to display comments more prominently.