| Given the unreliable and dynamic nature of fuel | | | | 16.Always drive moderately, as driving like you |
| prices, automobile users simply can’t depend | | | | were in a great hurry would only make you brake |
| on the transitory dips in the prices of gas. | | | | and accelerate erratically, thus burning up more |
| Perhaps, adopting simple fuel saving tips is the | | | | gas. |
| key to prevent the prices from burning a hole in | | | | 17.Cruise control, speed control or Autocruise, no |
| your pocket. | | | | matter which name you call it by, do make use |
| The following tips should help you achieve fuel | | | | of it when you’re on a long trip on a highway. |
| economy as well as help protect the environment. | | | | 18.Often not given enough weight though, idling |
| 1. To begin with, choose the right car for your | | | | can lead to significant fuel consumption. Avoid |
| needs, if just driving around the town is what | | | | your car from idling and you would save quite a |
| your needs entail, procure a lighter vehicle (hybrid | | | | lot. |
| or gas driven) instead of a big gas-guzzler. | | | | 19.Try driving in the highest gear, the lowest |
| 2.Considered as one of the most important | | | | gears are meant to get the car moving from the |
| factors affecting fuel economy, the need to | | | | stationary position and cause the engine to |
| ensure the right tire pressure for your automobile | | | | consume more power than the higher gears. |
| can’t be overemphasized. Check the pressure | | | | 20.Imitate truckers while approaching traffic lights. |
| of the tires at least once a week, remember that | | | | Truckers act wisely by looking ahead to see if |
| even over-inflated tires lead to higher gas | | | | the lights are about to turn red and accordingly |
| consumption. | | | | begin to slow down as stopping is imminent. |
| 3.Timely maintenance of your car that covers | | | | Further, if the lights are already red and you |
| ensuring the right levels of all essential engine fluids | | | | slowly cruise towards them they might turn green |
| and keeping all the systems in shape can make all | | | | while you’re still rolling. Thus you won’t |
| the difference. | | | | have to stop at all. |
| 4.If you keep your car cleaned up, it not only | | | | 21.Plan your trip so that you can decide upon the |
| enhances its sheen but also prevents any dirt or | | | | shortest route along several stops to complete |
| snow to create unnecessary drag and frees the | | | | the trip. |
| engine from working harder. | | | | 22.Buy a bicycle to use when the trips are too |
| 5.Until it’s absolutely necessary don’t | | | | short to be covered by a car and too long to be |
| carry extra baggage in the car’s trunk, as it | | | | completed by walking. Determine the yardsticks |
| would only increase the weight and force the | | | | for too long and too short based on your own |
| engine to consume more gas. | | | | preferences. |
| 6.Drive well within the fuel economy range of | | | | 23.Use public transportation whenever possible, |
| your vehicle, if you aren’t already used to | | | | not only can it save gas, but would also free you |
| driving slow enough then you’d need to make | | | | of the effort and care it takes to drive yourself. |
| some adjustments here, but be assured that the | | | | 24.Make use of a fuel catalyst, they can either be |
| benefits are real. The difference of gas | | | | poured into the fuel tank at other times they |
| consumption between speeds of 55 and 65mph | | | | need to be installed. The catalysts increase fuel |
| can be as big as 2MPG. | | | | economy by efficiently burning up the gas. |
| 7.Accelerating your car like a dragster burns up | | | | 25.Cleaning, properly maintaining and replacing the |
| fuel real quickly, whenever you have to step on | | | | air filters when needed also helps to augment the |
| the gas do it gradually. | | | | car’s efficiency. |
| 8.If possible rest your left foot on the floor than | | | | 26.When you rev up the engine while starting up, |
| on the brake pedal, as even a slight press on the | | | | and warm up in excess of about 30 - 40 |
| brakes could significantly increase the drag. | | | | seconds, it leads to undesirable gas consumption. |
| 9.Operate the air conditioner wisely and only when | | | | Hence, a warm up of 30 - 40 seconds is just all |
| you need it. If you can make do just by opening | | | | right for the purpose. |
| the windows partially for cool air it’s good. But | | | | 27.Refer to the owner's manual and follow the |
| remember that on highways opening up windows | | | | manufacturer's advice for the maintenance |
| can backfire by creating more drag, so | | | | schedule. |
| you’re better off with the windows up and | | | | 28.Use the manufacturer recommended motor oil |
| the air conditioner on. Further, once the inside | | | | as much and as often as it has been advised. |
| weather is cool enough turn down the power of | | | | 29.Get your vehicle refueled in the mornings or |
| the air conditioner, lest it puts undue pressure on | | | | late evenings when it’s cold. In low |
| your car’s engine. | | | | temperatures the oil is denser and hence you |
| 10.Pick and choose the gas stations with the best | | | | may get more gas for the same amount of |
| prices in your area, there are lots of websites | | | | money. |
| that keep a track of existing prices in different | | | | 30.Avoid placing luggage on the rooftop |
| localities/regions. | | | | unnecessarily as it creates a lot of drag by |
| 11.Making good use of the discount gas schemes | | | | contorting the car’s aerodynamics. In fact the |
| or gas rebate schemes of credit and club cards | | | | best thing to do is to remove the roof rack |
| makes a lot of sense even if you save just a | | | | completely, as even an empty rack causes |
| couple of cents on each visit to the station. | | | | sufficient drag. |
| Remember the good old quote “a penny | | | | 31.Avoid using tires that are too broad, they |
| saved is a penny earned.” | | | | might be fancy but certainly are deterrents to |
| 12.After referring to your owner’s manual, | | | | good fuel economy, as they create more drag. |
| choose the lowest grade of engine oil available. No | | | | 32.Carpooling allows for savings not just for you |
| need to buy the premium grade unnecessarily. | | | | but also for others around you. |
| 13.Always shut the gas cap tight enough, or else | | | | 33.Use manual transmission, as an automatic |
| the fuel could leak or evaporate. | | | | transmission still can’t match your |
| 14.If you need to travel just a small distance, | | | | assessment. |
| prefer to walk. Not only would this help save gas | | | | 34.Choose a route that’s the shortest, has |
| but would also get the necessary physical | | | | minimum traffic lights and low traffic. |
| exercise, so often recommended to live healthy. | | | | 35.Get your car refueled only when the gas is |
| 15.Try to complete all your shopping on a single | | | | about to run out, this is so as even the weight of |
| trip instead of visiting the market multiple times. | | | | the gas can be considered as load that the engine |
| Further, choose a shopping center that stocks a | | | | needs to pull, thus leading to a greater gas |
| myriad of supplies so that you don’t have to | | | | consumption. |
| move from one area to another to shop for | | | | For more tips to save gas follow me through the |
| different items on your list. | | | | link below. |