Improve Gas Mileage: Tips and Articles on Saving at the Pump

Many people ask, "how can I improve my gas mileage," that's why, in this section, we have provided tips to implement in your everyday driving habits that can really add up!

Gas Mileage Stinks? Try These Helpful Tips to Get a Few Extra Miles

With gas prices on the rise, consumers are looking for ways to save money. A tank of gas isn’t taking you very far these days, but there are ways to add a few extra miles, and save yourself a few extra dollars. Many consumers are unaware of how to get extra mileage on their cars, or how to save money on gas. Today’s gas mileage stinks? Try these helpful tips to get a few extra miles.

Consider a Hybrid

First, consumers might try investing in a hybrid car. Hybrids have better fuel economy than conventional cars. The fuel economy on a hybrid is rated nearly 50 percent higher than conventional cars. The Honda Insight has a fuel economy of 60mpg/city and 57mpg/highway. The Toyota Prius averages 40mpg/city, and 38mpg/highway. You will be able to travel up to 300 miles farther on a tank of gas. Hybrids cost more than conventional cars, but consumers that buy or lease a hybrid gets a tax credit ranging from $250-$3,150. The hybrid is a worthy investment, and is great solution, if you’re looking for extra miles.

Give Your Car a Rest

The second tip is a simple one. If you want extra miles out of your vehicle, then give it a rest sometimes. A lot of mileage can be built up going back and forth to your workplace. So, take a bus or taxi to work, or car pool with co-workers. Many consumers waste mileage on short distances to work, so if traveling a short distance, ride a bike, or walk. Another solution may be to work at home. Much of your office work can be done at home, so ask your boss to consider this option.

Avoid Idling

Another tip would be to avoid idling. Don’t let your vehicle run if it doesn’t have to. If picking someone up, turn the vehicle off while waiting. Also turn your vehicle off when waiting at a fast food restaurant. The service isn’t light speed at fast food restaurants, so turning your vehicle off for five minutes can save gas. Consumers should also consider using less of the air conditioning. It won’t hurt to turn the air conditioning off on a breezy day. Millions of American drivers run the air conditioning in their vehicles unnecessarily. If, your not willing to turn the A/C off, then don’t run it on the maximum level, because that will save gas. Some consumers take their cars for granted, but with gas prices so high, and fuel dwindling; it would be a bad idea to run your car unnecessarily.

Look for Gas Rebate Cards

The next tip is a less obvious one, but it works. Get gas cash back or rebate credit card. A gas cash back or rebate credit card is just like a regular credit card, but it gives you cash back on gas. Some consumers may think this isn’t a option, but you can get cash back on gas from regular credit cards also. So, there’s no need to apply for one of these cards. The credit card will help millions of consumers save on gas. Some credit card companies are offering incentives of free gas for consumers that use their credit cards for gas. Using a credit card to save money sounds unconventional, but considering the high gas prices, it’s the most conventional suggestion.

Proper Car Maintenance is Key - Read on for "Five Car Maintenance Tips that Help Reduce Fuel Consumption"

The last tip is another simple one. Millions of drivers don’t take proper care of their cars. It’s in everyone’s best interest to have routine maintenance done on your vehicle. Routine maintenance can add hundreds of miles on your vehicle. If you really want to add mileage, then have your oil changed. Consumers will see a major change in gas mileage, and the overall performance of their vehicles, if they have maintenance done routinely. Routine maintenance is a necessity, and with rising gas prices it’s not something to be overlooked.

These help tips can help many consumers save money, and add mileage to their vehicles. Most of us could benefit from sitting down and thinking of new ways to add mileage to our vehicles, and save money on gas. It’s up to the consumer whether saving money, and adding mileage to their cars should be a top priority. These tips can be a guideline, but it’s the individual’s decisions, which will lead to a healthier vehicle.

Be Smart and Save - Five Car Maintenance Tips that Help Reduce Fuel Consumption

Better maintenance leads to better gas mileage. Many drivers don’t realize how important it is to maintain their vehicles. A well-maintained vehicle is safe, and less costly. If your vehicle is checked and serviced routinely, then there will be an increase in the vehicle’s fuel economy. By maintaining the tires, the engine, maintaining mechanical systems, the ignition system, and the brakes, your car will have a longer life, and better fuel efficiency. Vehicle owners’ should reference their Owner’s Manual for proper care of their vehicle.

Your vehicle’s tires should meet the recommended pressure. Rolling resistance could result if your vehicle’s tires are not at the correct pressure. Rolling resistance results in premature tread wear when your tires are under inflated, which increases fuel consumption. Check tire pressure once a month, and check tires for uneven wear, because this could be a sign of over inflation, under inflation, or improper wheel alignment. Misaligned tires will drag instead of rolling freely. This will increase fuel consumption; reduce tire life and cause problems with the vehicle’s handling. One simple test can be used to check if your wheels need to be aligned. Drive at an even speed; if the vehicle pulls to one side, then the wheels will have to be aligned. Tires should be routinely rotated also. Rotating your tires helps prolong the tires’ life and increases fuel economy.

Vehicle owners should have their engines tuned up regularly. Savings vary, but a well-tuned engine runs more efficiently. Vehicles manufactured after 1996 have an on board diagnostics system that monitors emissions related components, and alerts the driver to problems by triggering the “Service Engine Soon” or “Check Engine” light. This light helps detect problems before they become noticeable to the driver. If the light comes on, then drivers should consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Consumers should change the oil and air filter at recommended intervals to minimize engine wear and reduce the possibility of internal damage. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat. All of this promotes better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Severe problems could result if the engine’s oil isn’t changed. The oil recommended in the Owner’s Manual should be used. The lowest multi grade of oil should be used, because it improves fuel efficiency of the engine. The best oil for fuel economy is the oil with the “Energy Conserving” label.

The cooling system should be checked also. The cooling system keeps the engine at its optimal operating temperature. Systems outside of the cooling range, increases fuel consumption, and emissions and engine wear. The engine’s cooling system will only run properly, if it receives regular maintenance. This includes monitoring the coolant level in the overflow tank, regularly inspecting hoses for cracks or loose clamps and adjusting belts. Coolant degrades over time and because of this, antifreeze concentration should be tested every fall so that the engine will be protected for winter. A clogged air filter will decrease fuel efficiency also. The air filter helps protect the inside of the engine from impurities. Clogged air filters can decrease gas mileage by up to 10 percent.

Regular maintenance of a vehicle’s ignition system is important in maximizing fuel efficiency. The spark plugs in a gasoline engine ignite the air fuel mixture. If one or more of the plugs are worn or malfunctioning, then the engine will misfire and some fuel will remain unburned. Worn or damaged spark plug wires can also cause misfiring. A misfiring engine wastes fuel. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on engine checks and spark plug and ignition wire replacement, because problems with the ignition system are usually too subtle to see.

Checking brakes for wear will help increase fuel efficiency. Brakes that are squealing, grinding, pulling the vehicle to one side could be dragging, and should be checked. Dragging brakes can increase fuel consumption, because the vehicle must work harder to overcome the resistance. It’s important to have your brakes inspected, and the brake fluid checked and changed at the interval specified in the owners’ manual.

A poorly maintained vehicle can boost fuel consumption by 50 percent, and greenhouse gases by even more. The best way to keep your vehicle running clean is to follow the maintenance instructions in the owner’s manual. It’s not a good idea to guess at maintenance. To get maximum fuel economy, your vehicle should be maintained to the standards recommended in the owner’s manual. By understanding how different vehicle components affect fuel efficiency will allow you to better appreciate the importance of maintenance, and your role in keeping your vehicle in peak running condition.

Cruise Control Does Make the Cut when Saving on Gas

Cruise control is a function all vehicles have, but most people with vehicles don’t use. With gas prices on the rise, consumers are looking for any way to save money on gas. Using cruise control is an affective, and safe way to save money on gas. Most drivers feel the need to drive aggressively. They drive at higher speeds, and brake unnecessarily. Using cruise control may seem like an odd change, but it can make a major difference in fuel efficiency. Some may find it hard to believe, but cruise control does make the cut when saving on gas.

Maintaining a steady speed will improve your vehicle’s gas mileage. Cruise control makes the driver take a long view of the road instead of reacting to every change around them. Also, cruise control smoothes out the driver’s accelerator input by preventing nervous surging. You will be safer, more relaxed, and you’ll increase fuel efficiency when using cruise control.

Using cruise control cuts down on unnecessary speed changes, which can eat up gas, and it prevents the driver’s average speed from increasing with time on the road. Traveling the speed limit, and using cruise control whenever you can will increase fuel economy. Using cruise control is best for open city driving, and highway driving. When tested on a highway a Land Rover LR3 got almost 14 percent better mileage using cruise control set at 70 mph rather than cruising at driver controlled speeds between 65mph and 75mph.

Cruise control is great for open city driving, but it’s not practical in stop and go traffic. For stop and go traffic, it is best to drive the speed limit. Driving at the speed limit will give you more green lights. Which not only increases gas mileage, but it also reduces wear on your brakes. The DOE says that every 5mph you drive over 65mph represents a 7 percent decrease in fuel economy. If you are driving 75 mph on the highway, slow down to 65 mph. It will make a major difference. Wind resistance increases with speed every mile that you drive over 55mph and your fuel economy goes down by two percent. You’ll get about half the mileage driving at 70mph compared to 50mph.

It would also be smart for drivers to anticipate stops in stop and go traffic. If you’re at a stoplight don’t speed away, there’s a good chance you’ll have to stop again soon. It’s best to accelerate slowly, and then coast to the next light. If you see a need to stop ahead, then coast. Don’t continue to accelerate then brake at the last minute. If you anticipate stops, you’ll cut down on your wasteful acceleration, and save fuels.

It is also practical to drive in the highest gear possible. Driving in the highest gear saves up to 14 percent, but the average savings are 7 percent. Driving in the highest gear works, because the slower the engine turns, the fewer the number of explosions in the cylinders. Fewer explosions means less gas consumed. Besides using cruise control, driving in the highest gear will save you an additional $0.21. This number may seem small, but the savings are significant when paying $2.90 for a gallon of gas.

Using cruise control is practical, but it’s only practical when driving on flat terrain. Some drivers have gotten the idea that it is best to speed up when driving uphill. It’s not a great idea to speed up when traveling uphill, because the cruise control function will try to keep you up to the speed you’ve set and will use a lot of extra gas down shifting to lower gears to accomplish this. If you’re driving on hilly terrain, using cruise control typically causes your vehicle to speed up faster (to maintain the preset speed) than it would if you were operating the accelerator yourself. Even though using cruise control is not practical for driving uphill. There’s still no need for aggressive driving.

Using cruise control, over conventional driving methods is an obvious choice. Many drivers have the habit of driving above speed limits. Going fast can be costly. Not only is there a risk of speeding tickets, driving at higher speeds is a waste of gas. People drive aggressively when they’re in a rush. Many don’t realize that using cruise control and driving the speed limits will get you to your destination in a timely matter. Mashing the accelerator pedal from a stoplight, braking hard, and speeding all contribute to decrease in fuel economy. It would be in all drivers best interests to hit the cruise control sit back, and relax. It may seem like a major change from your normal driving routine, but it’s a much-needed change. Drivers will not feel so uncomfortable using cruise control, once they see the difference in their pockets.

Six Savvy Ways to Improve your Gas Mileage

In times where gas mileage is reaching all new highs many people are curious to know how they can improve their gas mileage. There are some people who just get in their cars and drive without a second thought to the amount of gas they are using. Others are aware that there are ways to improve gas mileage but are not completely sure what the methods are. Still, there are some who are aware of one or two ways but need to know more. Here are some tips that anyone can use to make sure they are getting the best gas mileage possible from their vehicles.

One of the easiest ways to improve your gas mileage is to get your oil changed. Many people do not realize the full value they receive by getting their oil changed on time. Sure, it might be a hassle to have your oil changed as frequently as every three months. When you think about the improved gas mileage you will have, a simple trip to the nearest oil change place won’t be so bad. There are even some oil change places that can get you in and out in fifteen minutes or less.

The tires receive perhaps the least amount of attention of all the parts of your car. However, they have a huge impact on the gas mileage you receive. When your tires are under or over inflated this has an impact on your cars fuel economy. In addition, unbalanced and misaligned tires are also detrimental to your gas mileage. These are all things that you should check periodically to make sure you are getting the best gas mileage possible. If you haven’t had your tires checked in awhile, do it today.

Remove unnecessary items from your trunk. You’d be surprised to see how quickly the items in your trunk would add up to a hundred pounds, possibly even more. This extra, unnecessary weight decreases your fuel economy causing you to get a less than ideal gas mileage. Take a look in your trunk to make sure you are carrying no more than the essentials. Find a place inside your home, or in the trash, for all the extra stuff you don’t need.

Combine your errands instead of doing them on separate occasions. Your car gets a much better fuel economy when the engine is warm than it does once the engine has cooled down. Doing all your errands at one time helps make the best use of your gas. You might even combine your errands with those of a friend so the two of you make better use of energy. It will give the two of you time to bond and save money on gas.

There are some features on your car that will help you improve your gas mileage. There aren’t very many people that make use of cruise control and overdrive, but using these two features can greatly improve fuel economy. Both features are best used on the highway when you will be going a consistent speed for an extended period of time. Cruise control helps you maintain your speed while overdrive provides your car with an extra gear for going high speeds. Make use of these features the next time you go on a trip.

For some people, driving the speed limit sounds lame. Somewhere along the way people have become fascinated with going fast in cars. However, driving at speeds over sixty miles per hour lowers your vehicles gas mileage. Of course, there are some places where the speed limit is more than sixty miles per hour. However, in those places where the speed limit is lower, you should drive that limit. This will help to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage.

Even if you knew some of these tips for improving your gas mileage, chances are you didn’t know all of them. Whether this is new information for you or just a refresher course on something you’ve learned before, these tips will help you get better gas mileage. Not only that, you’ll find yourself saving money at the gas pump and spending more on the things you’d rather spend on. Use this information to improve your gas mileage.

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For more on improving gas mileage visit fueleconomy.gov.