Courtesy 30 Ways to Save Fuel
- Avoid warming up your engine for too long, even on
cold mornings it really only takes 30-45 seconds.
- If
your car has an automatic choke, make sure it is disengaged after the
engine warms up.
- Don't start and stop the engine
needlessly. Idling your engine for a minute consumes the same amount of
gas as starting the engine.
- Avoid revving the
engine, this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside
cylinder walls which causes a loss of oil
pressure.
- Accelerate slowly when starting from a
dead stop. Don't push the pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot
travel.
- Buy gasoline during the coolest time of day -
early morning or late evening is best because that's when the gasoline
is most dense.
- Choose the type and brand of gasoline
carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of
better quality.
- Avoid filling gas tank to the top.
Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Stop filling your
tank upon first "click" of the fuel
nozzle.
- Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to
overcome wind resistance.
- Never exceed the legal
speed limit. Traveling at 55mph vs 65-70mph can get you 21% better gas
mileage.
- Traveling at fast rates in low gears can
consume 45% more fuel than is needed.
- Manual shift
driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible,
thereby letting you save gas if you nurse it
along.
- Keep windows closed when traveling on the
highway, open windows cause air drag.
- Drive as
steadily as possible. Slowing down and then speeding up wastes
fuel.
- Think ahead when approaching hills: accelerate
before the hill, and not when you are already on
it.
- Do not rest left foot on floorboard pedals while
driving. The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on components,
wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging" also demands additional
fuel usage.
- Avoid rough roads whenever possible,
because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas
mileage.
- Use alternate roads when safer, shorter,
straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that
corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest
distance between two points is always
straight.
- Stoplights are usually timed for your
motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you
boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way!Ā
- Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool
down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings,
long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces
transmission strain and allows the transmission to
cool.
- Park car so that you can later begin to travel
in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save
gas.
- Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check
owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention
should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow
increases gas waste.
- Inspect suspension and chassis
parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks,
broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling
speeds.
- Remove snow tires during good weather
seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs
fuel!
- Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire
should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When
shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels.
Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer's
specifications for maximum tire pressures.
- Remove
vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise
smooth air flow around a car's body. Bear in mind when buying new cars
that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and
mileage).
- Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel
economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase
engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per
gallon.
- Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of
car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight
reduces mileage, especially when driving up
inclines.
- Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas
expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep
the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the
driver better maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For
best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout
car.
- During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to
the car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Snow and ice
build-up causes tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or
hosed on) will eliminate it quickly.