We are all interested in getting tips for better gas mileage, and there is some basic information that everybody who owns a car should be aware of. The main thing is that the fuel that is dosed to each cylinder is programmed into the computer. This is so the engine control module (computer) can maximize fuel economy while still maintaining enough power to get the vehicle moving when it is time to get up and go! If you start playing with the system that controls the fuel dose, you will throw other systems out of whack, and end up doing more harm than good to your engine. So we will stick to the basic stuff.
The first tip in getting more miles per gallon is to drive a small car. Cars are not supposed to be a status symbol, but they are a means of transportation and you only need something that that will carry you down the road safely. If you drive a Suburban and are looking for how to save on gas, give it up as it is not going to happen unless you get something smaller.
Tip number two is to drive slow and steady. If you drive aggressively in city traffic, you need to save that kind of behavior for the race track. Aggressive driving means accelerating quickly then slamming on the brakes in order to slow down to a stop. Have you ever ridden with someone who is either all the way on the gas or all the way on the brakes? That is scary, and it is making the car just as nervous, also. Sure it is a lot of fun to do a burnout when pulling away from a red light, but if you are trying to save money then it is not very smart.
Tip number three is to drive at the speed limit. Did you know that going 5 miles per hour over the speed limit costs you an extra mile per gallon? You can easily save that mile per gallon by obeying the law and saving on your speeding tickets and the gasoline bill. After all, if you wanted to drive fast everywhere you went then you would not be looking for ways to save on gas.
Tip number four in this offering is to always make sure that you use the manufacturer’s recommended engine oil. The oil is what keeps the engine lubricated and seals the cylinders between the rings and the cylinder wall. If the proper oil is not used then the engine will not be lubricated properly and the cylinders will not be sealed as they were designed to be. Improper lubrication causes friction which makes the engine harder to turn, and this builds heat which makes things worse. Improper sealing of the cylinders robs power, and contaminates the oil with the vapors that are allowed to pass through the rings that are not sealing properly. In a nutshell, if your oil keeps getting dirty faster than normal, then you should look on the dipstick and use the oil that is stamped on it telling you which oil to put in your engine.
Tip number five in this collection of gas saving advice is to travel light. Carrying around less than 50 pounds of extra stuff in your car is a lot better than carrying around a hundred and fifty pounds of stuff in your back seat and trunk. If you would just clean the trash out of their trunks, most people can gain about two miles per gallon. It might make the car smell better if you get those 3 month old nachos from under the seat, too.
Tip number six in this offering is, of course, to keep the engine tuned up and running in top shape. Not only should you do this as a responsible driver, and car owner, but it is also good for the environment and your bank account when it comes to saving on gas. A poorly tuned engine can use twice as much fuel as a properly tuned engine, and usually keeping an engine tuned up at regular intervals, usually costs less than 1 tank of gas if you are able to do the work yourself. If you are not able to do the work yourself try getting a friend to do it for you. Mechanics usually like food and a good time, and are happy to take those as payment for a simple maintenance job on a friend’s car.
The final tip on how to get more gas mileage is number seven. This one is the infamous tire pressure issue. If you have ever tried to ride a bicycle with a low tire, then you already know how much extra strain it takes to get that thing moving, and keeping it moving. When putting air in the tires of your car, look at the sticker in the driver’s side door jamb, and it will have the PSI specifications for front and rear tires, follow those carefully. Under inflating a tire kills your gas mileage, and over inflating it kills the tire. So make sure the pressures are right.
Now you have some good information on how be able to pass up more gas stations. It is up to you on how you implement these tips, but rest assured that if you do all of them, your vehicle will be as fuel efficient as it can possibly get. If you want to save even more money on gas, then ride a horse because feed is cheaper than gas.
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