Ways to Improve Your Vehicle's Fuel Economy

With gas prices increasing every week, it seems like just going to work and doing everyday necessary chores are costing way too much. As the gas budget gets tighter, seeking ways to increase fuel economy can be a very helpful and budget friendly idea. In an article posted by RIS Media, "10 Tips to Improve Your Vehicle’s Fuel Economy", author Jerry Hirsch gives some helpful tips to increase your vehicle's fuel economy. Read on for these helpful tips...

RISMEDIA, March 17, 2011—(MCT)—With the price of regular unleaded gasoline topping $4 a gallon, auto information websites TrueCar.com and AutomMD.com have come out with a simple guide to get more mileage from your vehicle.

1. Drive more smoothly: Be gentle with your gas pedal and your brakes. There’s no reason to speed up to a red light just to slam on the brakes. Aggressive driving will lower your gas mileage.

2. Slow down: Most vehicles get the best fuel efficiency at 45-55 miles per hour. Driving more than 60 mph can cut fuel efficiency 7-23%.

3. Reduce idling: Turn off your engine if you’re waiting for more than 20 seconds. Idling wastes more gas than turning off your engine and restarting it.

4. Use lower-grade fuel: Regular unleaded fuel won’t hurt most vehicles even if premium unleaded fuel is required. Unless your engine starts to knock or ping when using a lower-grade fuel, stick to regular.

5. Remove excess weight: An extra 100 pounds sitting in the trunk or back seat can reduce fuel economy as much as 2%.

6. Turn on the ventilator and turn off the air conditioning: The most efficient way to cool your car is with the air that comes in through your flow-through ventilator. Air conditioning or open windows make your vehicle less fuel-efficient (because of the drag). Driving fast with the windows open can burn more fuel than the air conditioner.

7. Replace or tighten the gas cap: Fuel evaporates through gas caps with broken or weak seals, potentially reducing your car’s gas mileage by 2%.

8. Keep the tires inflated: Tires that are improperly inflated have a higher rolling resistance, which reduces efficiency. Keeping tires at the proper pressure can improve gas mileage by as much as 3.3%.

9. Change the oil: Energy-conserving or synthetic motor oil can reduce engine friction, improving efficiency as much as 2%.

10. Replace the spark plugs: Misfiring spark plugs can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30%.

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