People become more concerned with fuel efficiency every day that gas prices creep closer and closer to $4.00 per gallon. Fuel efficiency in an automobile is usually measured by the number of average miles driven per gallon of fuel used. There are many strategies to help get where you are going with as little fuel as possible.
Fuel Efficient Strategies
The first tactic that we can all use is to check our driving habits. Aggressive driving wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage on the highway by up to 33 percent. Every vehicle differs on the best speed for fuel efficiency, but generally gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 miles per hour (mph.) Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight. Excess weight affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones. So throw those golf clubs in the garage until you need them. Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas. Also, when you use overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
Servicing and Fuel Efficiency
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. Some people have stated that changing a clogged air filter can increase gas mileage. This is true for older vehicles that us a carburetor. A recent study determined that although it does increase engine performance in newer fuel injected cars, it will not increase fuel economy. You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires will make your car work harder to complete the same trip. It can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the label to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
Trips, Commuting, and Fuel Efficiency
Planning trips to combine errands saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and it can reduce the distance you travel. Some ideas for your daily commute are to stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours and drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle. Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, which are typically less congested. Using these lanes will further improve your fuel efficiency. Also, consider using public transit if it is available and convenient for you.
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