TOP TEN FUEL-SAVING TIPS
With gas and diesel prices up and continuing to climb, it’s worth paying
attention to what you drive, when you drive, where you drive, and how you
drive.
Here are ten tips for saving fuel:
Drive less. The best way to save fuel is not to burn it. Consolidate trips,
car pool when possible, and drive during off-peak hours to avoid
congestion.
- Drive slower, perhaps the speed limit for a change. At freeway speeds,
aerodynamics play a measurable role in fuel economy. Driving in the 60-
to 65-mile-per-hour range instead of 75-plus-mile-per-hour range will
likely increase your fuel mileage by 2 or more miles per gallon. - Keep the engine in tune. What does that mean with today’s
electronically fuel-injected engines? Not much, other than making sure
the engine is running as it should. Spark plugs, air filters, and oxygen
sensors are the primary components that influence fuel economy. Install
a new air filter once per year—or more frequently if you live near or
drive on dirt or dusty roads—and have the engine scoped on an engine
analyzer every 30,000 to 50,000 miles to make sure it’s running properly. - Properly inflate your tires. Pressures at or above 30 to 35 psi are a good
choice for most passenger cars. At higher inflation pressures, the tire’s
rolling resistance decreases. It takes less power to roll the tires down the
road. That saves you fuel. - Keep tires and wheels properly aligned. Not only will this help tires
last longer, but properly aligned tires offer less rolling resistance, thus,
slightly better fuel mileage. - Keep the front of vehicle clean and free of debris, especially in the
grille opening. Keeping the air conditioning condenser and radiator free
of bugs, leaves, and debris allows the engine to cool more efficiently and
the air conditioning to work less to keep occupants cool—both of which
will save fuel. - Accelerate modestly. It takes fuel to make power, so the harder you