Gasoline Conservation Tips
With the increasing cost of gasoline in a world of diminishing supply and expanding demand, the need to economize on the consumption of gasoline is becoming more and more important. The simplest solution in this situation is simply to purchase a vehicle that consumes less gasoline per mile driven. Those who don't have the option of trading in their current vehicle for a new one with lower fuel consumption can still do many things to decrease their consumption of gasoline. Here are some tips for doing that:
- Drive at a lower speed. The optimum speed for getting the best mileage while driving on the highway varies for different vehicle models, but if you keep your speed between 50 and 55 miles per hour, you'll consume less gasoline than you would if driving at a higher speed.
- Drive smoothly, without speeding up or slowing down too rapidly. Sudden spurts, stops, or other changes in speed cause your vehicle's engine to consume additional fuel.
- Gradually accelerate up to speed. The more gradual your rate of acceleration, the less fuel your engine will need to consume to get up to speed. Anticipate stops, turns, hills, traffic, and so on, so you can gradually vary your speed to a suitable rate before hand, rather than suddenly having to speed up or slow down.
- When your car is not moving, avoid pumping the gas pedal or racing the engine. When stopped on an incline, use your breaks, not the gas pedal to hold your vehicle in place.
- Don't needlessly idle the engine. If you're waiting for a friend, a bridge to close, or a train to go by, don't continue to idle your engine while waiting. Turn it off.
- Check your tire pressure. Tires that are underinflated place extra drag on the engine, causing it to consume more fuel. Check your owner's manual for the recommended tire pressure and make sure your tires are inflated to match.
- Keep your vehicle's engine tuned according to the specification provided in the owner's manual. An out-of-tune vehicle will likely consume more gasoline.
- If you have more than one car in your family, use the care with the best fuel economy as often as possible, especially for short trips. Use the other vehicle (or vehicles) only if the car with the best fuel economy isn't available or if it isn't practical to use it instead.
- Don't carry unnecessary weight. Check your vehicle's trunk or other storage areas to see how you can slim your vehicle down. If it is the middle of the summer, store your tire chains in the garage, not in your trunk, for instance. If storing tools in your car, store only those you think you might need, rather than every tool that you have.
- Make sure that your wheels are properly aligned. Misaligned wheels cause your engine to consume additional fuel to overcome the rolling resistance of the tires.
- Operate the air conditioner only if you really need it. Running it causes a drop in your fuel mileage of a mile or two per gallon of gasoline. If possible, run it only enough, about once a week, to keep it functioning properly.
Bradley Bogart
E-Mail: bbogart@bucksavers.com
Web Address: http://www.bucksavers.com/