With the rising gas prices and cost of other commodities, affording a car is becoming a little daunting every day. You'll be surprised to know how improving gas mileage can help you in more ways than one. Not only will it help you cut extra costs, but it also helps in improving the environment due to less emission of gases.
You are already aware that fuel efficiency gets worse every time with overspeeding. According to fueleconomy.gov, drivers pay extra charges every time they speed over 50mph. This overspeeding can result if the vehicle loses fuel efficiency up to 7% to 14%. It's also advisable to avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking to avoid too much fuel usage.
Proper tyre pressure plays a crucial role in maintaining the overall gas mileage. By keeping the tires properly inflated, you can avoid overconsumption of fuel up to 3% and avoid the risk of faster wear down of treads. Always refer to the vehicle owner's manual and follow the guidelines to take proper care. According to reports, approximately 1.25 billion gallons of gasoline is wasted every year due to underinflated tyes.
Did you know that an additional 100 pounds in your car can reduce gas mileage by up to 1%? Carrying extra luggage with you is said to affect the mileage heavily. Plus, the more minor the vehicle, the greater the damage. Thus, it's advisable to carry as little as possible. Tires lose about 2 pounds per square once per month if it is not inflated correctly according to guidelines. There are a few things like an emergency kit or a toolbox that should be present in the vehicle at all times. But constantly checking and removing the clutter is always a good step. It can be a forgotten backpack, extra books, clothes, roof racks, cargo boxes, or anything you might not need in an emergency.
A good vehicle demands proper maintenance. A few small changes every once in a while will pay for themselves in the long run. You can start by replacing air filters regularly or at least once a year. Other than that, you can monitor the working of the oxygen sensor and its efficiency. One other important thing is to replace the spark plugs regularly. Bad spark plugs can decrease the fuel economy by 30% and lead to a high overall cost.
If your tires are misaligned, then you're reducing your vehicle's fuel efficiency by as much as 10%. According to the vehicle's manual, you can know about the misalignment by focusing on the following symptoms: a vibration in the steering wheel or improper rotation of wheels. Small steps like these will help you improve the fuel economy by a lot.
If you want to keep your vehicle running for a long time, avoid speeding, braking, and rapid acceleration as much as possible. Reports even prove that bad driving skills affect every aspect of your car. Thus it can not be stressed enough that speed kills gas mileage and wallet, so the rule of thumb is to avoid driving over 55.
In the end, the bottom of the line is how much you take care of your vehicle. Here we have mentioned a few tricks to improve the gas mileage, but it is still best to refer to user manuals and guides. You can also maintain a car care guide and keep track of regular maintenance.
