1) As was mentioned in my previous post, check that air filter and make sure it’s clean. This affects gas mileage more often in older vehicles than the newer ones.
2) Learn to drive more evenly, avoiding braking and accelerating unnecessarily and excessively. Keep in mind that the speed at which you drive matters; the faster you drive, the higher the RPMs will be, and usually that results in lower mileage. When you drive at higher speeds it is best to keep your speed at the recommended MPH. This is the safest thing to do anyway. Driving faster may reduce mileage, with best fuel economy usually being achieved around 55 - 60 mph, although it varies a bit by vehicle. Also, using cruise control keeps your car at a more constant speed and will also help save gas. 3) Don’t let your car sit at idle unnecessarily. If you plan on sitting in one spot for a long time, it’s actually best to turn the engine off while you wait.
4) Don’t use the air conditioner as much if at all possible.
5) Keep the appropriate tire pressure. It’s easiest just to buy a tire gauge and store it somewhere in your car, like the glove compartment. It is wise to check air pressure once every week or so. It is said that gas mileage can be improved around 3% or more by keeping tires properly inflated. Besides, it is a safer way to drive. NOTE: Use the pressure advised on the driver’s side door or in the owner’s guide.
6) If you have overdrive gears, use them. This will help the engine speed to decrease, thereby saving you gas.
7) Keep the car up to date with its maintenance. There are many issues that can reduce efficiency, such as: improperly seeded or bad spark plugs, bad oxygen sensor, and bad fuel injectors. Be sure to always use the recommended motor oil grade suggested by the manufacturer.
8) Combine your errands into one trip whenever possible. Taking care of all of your little trips while the engine is warm makes it more efficient, not to mention the miles and time you will save. When it comes to your job, try carpooling or ask your boss if you can telecommute once in a while.
9) Reduce your vehicle’s weight. Basically, if you have unnecessary stuff in your car, remove it. The more weight there is, the less mileage you will get. It is estimated that every additional 100lbs in your car reduces the MPG by as much as 2 percent. If you have a large roof rack and aren’t using it, you might as well remove that too.
10) Finally, you could always buy a more fuel efficient car in the first place. If you gain an extra 5 or 10 miles per gallon, that could add up to a savings of a few hundred a year or more, depending how much you drive. For official mileage estimates, check out: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
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