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Here are some of the things you can
do to ensure improved gas mileage for your car:
Driving Habits
▪ Keep your car clean.
Mud on the undercarriage can weigh a significant amount and
slow you down.
▪
Consolidate your daily trips and errands. This will also
save you the cost of restarting your engine, which
uses a
lot of gas.
▪
Avoid air conditioning when possible. However, when driving
at higher speeds, having your windows open
also creates
drag.
▪
Don’t throttle the gas or brake pedal! Sudden starts or
stops use more gas than gradual changes in speed.
▪
Don’t idle for too long. Turn off the engine if you
anticipate a lengthy wait.
▪
Limit car warm-ups in winter.
▪
Clear out the trunk. More weight equals more drag.
▪
Avoid high speeds. We know this is almost impossible to
resist but you can improve your gas mileage by up
to 15
percent driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph.
▪
Use overdrive. If your car is equipped with overdrive
gearing use it as soon as your speed is high enough.
▪
Use cruise control. Maintaining a constant speed is ideal
for improving your gas mileage.
Servicing Your Vehicle
▪
Replace the spark plugs in your engine regularly. This way,
the air and fuel mixture will burn cleaner and
more
efficiently.
▪ Improve the intake/output system. By allowing
gas to get in and exhaust out of your vehicle you will
improve
the vehicle's overall performance and gas mileage.
▪ Reduce friction. Use high-quality or synthetic motor oil.
▪ Check your oil! Low oil makes your engine work harder.
▪ Change your filters. Dirty filters can sometimes increase
the amount of fuel your vehicle uses by as much as
10
percent.
▪ Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Check
regularly to ensure your wheels are fully inflated and your
alignment is good.
▪ Get regular engine tune-ups and car
maintenance checks. A lot can go wrong with a car. Damaged
spark
plugs or transmission problems can also contribute to
poor gas mileage. |
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