Whether you drive a two-seat hybrid or a three-ton SUV, chances
are you can squeeze a bit more distance out of each gallon of fuel. These ten
fuel saving tips have served me well over the years, and they can help you improve
your car's fuel economy and take some of the sting out of high fuel prices.
Most of these tips will give you a very slight increase in miles per gallon
(MPG) -- but use several together and the gas mileage improvements will really
add up.
1. Check your air filter
A clean air filter is the key to good fuel economy. A dirty air
filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and
economy. Air filters are easy to check and change; remove the filter and hold
it up to the sun. If you can't see light coming through it, you need a new one.
Consider a K&N or similar "permanent" filter which is cleaned
rather than changed; they are much less restrictive than throw-away paper
filters, plus they're better for the environment.
2. Check your tire pressure
Next to the air fitler, under-inflated tires are one of the most
commonly ignored causes of crummy MPG. Buy a reliable tire gauge, check your
tires when they are cold (driving the car warms up the tires and the air inside
them, increasing the pressure), and keep them properly inflated. Use the
inflation pressures shown in the owner's manual or on the data plate in the
driver's door jamb.
3. Slow down
As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. If you
one of the "ten-over on the freeway" set, try driving the speed limit
for a few days. You'll save a lot of fuel and your journey won't take much
longer. Just be sure you keep to the right, so you won't impede the
less-enlightened.
4. Hang with the trucks
Ever notice how, in bad traffic jams, cars seem to constantly
speed up and slow down, while trucks tend to roll along at the same leisurely
pace? A constant speed keeps shifting to a minimum -- important to those who
have to wrangle with those ten-speed truck transmissions -- but it also aids
economy, as it takes much more fuel to get a vehicle moving than it
does to keep it moving. Rolling with the big rigs saves fuel (and
aggravation).
5. Accelerate with care
Jack-rabbit starts are an obvious fuel-waster - but that doesn't
mean you should crawl away from every light. If you drive an automatic,
accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears.
Stick-shifters should shift early to keep the revs down, but don't lug the
engine -- downshift if you need to accelerate. Keep an eye well down the road
for potential slowdowns. If you accelerate to speed then have to brake right
away, that's wasted fuel.
6. Get back to nature
Consider shutting off the air conditioner, opening the windows
and enjoying the breeze. It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds you'll
save fuel. That said, at higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the
wind resistance from open windows and sunroof. If I'm going someplace where
arriving sweaty and smelly could be a problem, I bring an extra shirt and leave
early so I'll have time for a quick change.
7. Back off the bling
New wheels and tires may look cool, and they can certainly
improve handling. But if they are wider than the stock tires, chances are
they'll create more rolling resistance and decrease fuel economy. If you
upgrade your wheels and tires, keep the old ones. I have fancy sport rims and
aggressive tires on my own car, but I keep the stock wheels with a good
narrower-tread performance tire in the garage. For long road trips, the stock
wheels give a smoother ride and better economy.
8. Clean out your car
The more weight your car has to haul, the more gas it needs to
do the work. If you're the type who takes a leisurely attitude towards car
cleanliness -- and I definitely fall into that group -- periodically go through
your car and see what can be tossed out or brought into the house. It doesn't
take much to acquire an extra 40 or 50 lbs. of stuff.
9. Out with the new, in with the old
Many people keep their old cars around even after they buy a new
one. A spare car, especially if it's an econobox, can be good insurance against
temporary spikes in gas prices due to world events. The costs of keeping the
car may or may not be less then the fuel saved, but it does allow for more
predictability in your budget. My old beater doesn't look like much, but it
goes 10 miles further on a gallon of gas than our regular car. For that, I can
afford to look bad!
10. Don't drive
Not a popular thing to say on a car site, I know, but the fact
is that if you can avoid driving, you'll save gas. Take the train, carpool, and
consolidate your shopping trips. Walking or biking is good for your wallet and your
health. And before you get in your car, always ask yourself: "Is this trip
really necessary?"
