Getting Better Gas Mileage

With the continuous increase in gas prices these days, finding ways to increase gas mileage and save an extra dollar in the pocket has become top priority. If you want to increase your fuel efficiency, here are some items to take into consideration:




Tires: If your tires are underinflated, you could be losing up to one mile per gallon of gasoline. Tires should be inflated according to the pressure specified by your car manufacturer and should be checked often, when the tires are cold. If the wear on your tires is irregular, have the wheel alignment checked. Radial tires are preferable to bias-ply tires because they improve mileage by 3 to 6 percent.


Tune-Up: Poorly running engines consume gas. A tune-up can increase your mileage by as much as 20 percent.


Speed: Most cars get the best mileage at a cruising speed between 35 and 45 mph. Also driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph can increase the mileage by three to five miles per gallon.


Extra weight: Unnecessary items carried around in your trunk and back seat or on top of your car (e.g., a luggage rack), are costing you miles. Get rid of heavy items; a weight loss of 100 pounds can result in a mileage gain of up to one mile per gallon.


Air Conditioning: When you don't need it, don't use it. Your gas consumption increases 5 to 20 percent with the air conditioner on.


Driving Techniques: Frequent starts and stops waste gas. Gentle acceleration is better than rapid acceleration. Excessive engine idling is also a gas guzzler.


New Car: If gas mileage is a major concern, remember that smaller engines are more fuel efficient. Manual transmissions usually get better mileage than automatic transmissions; an overdrive gear on either type of transmission will save gas. Power options like power steering and brakes as well as trim options like undercoating add weight to the car and will decrease your gas mileage.


Octane Ratings: Using gasoline with a higher octane rating will not improve your gas mileage. Use the octane level recommended in your car owner's manual.

KiyaSama is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

By Kiya Sama