Consumers are always looking for ways to improve the gas mileage of their vehicles. Not only is the price of gas increasing every year, but the environmental impact of carbon emissions is finally starting to take shape. We’re seeing the devastating results of global warming and how it is causing problems with the weather, sea temperatures and the overall quality of the air we breathe. If you want to do your part in fixing these problems, then it helps to drive a car with better gas mileage.
Of course, it is not enough to just purchase an economy class car with a gas efficient engine. There are other ways in which you can allow your car to travel more miles with less fuel. These methods basically pertain to how you drive and how you take care of your vehicle. No matter what make and model car you drive, following these methods could very well boost the amount of gas mileage that you get out of your car.
Below are the top 5 ways to improve the gas mileage of your car.
1) Balanced Tire Air Pressure
You must regularly check the air pressure of your tires to ensure they’re balanced. For the average economy car, the air pressure of the tires needs to be around 30 to 35 PSI. If you have a tire with less air pressure, then you need to inflate it back up to the proper amount. Your tires will have better traction on the road if they’re properly inflated. Tires without good traction will put more pressure on the engine, resulting in more gas being consumed.
2) Reduce the Load & Weight
The heavier a car weighs, the more power the engine must generate. If you drive a large vehicle or pack a lot of possessions into the trunk of your vehicle, then your engine needs to generate more power to move such a heavy load. The only way it can generate more power is to burn more fuel. So, try driving a smaller car and don’t haul such a heavy load in the back of it. Then you’ll save money on gas.
3) Use Cruise Control
Most vehicles have cruise control nowadays. Take advantage of this mechanism because it can help you conserve gas. If you’re driving on the highway or some other high-speed road, you can maintain the same speed by activating cruise control. This will prevent you from constantly pressing down on the gas pedal with your foot and consuming more gas.
4) Coast Driving
Each time you step on the gas pedal, it causes the engine to burn fuel. Instead of always keeping your foot on the gas pedal as you drive, try to do more “coast driving” instead. Coasting is when you take your foot off the gas pedal after you’ve accelerated the vehicle to a certain speed. Depending on the level of the road, you might be able to get away with driving fast without having to step on the gas pedal so much. This is especially great for declining roads where you’re going downhill.
5) Get Oil Changes
Your engine is comprised of several moving components, many of which rub against each other. The only way these components can run smoothly is if they’re properly lubricated. Motor oil is the only effective way to lubricate these components. You’re supposed to change your motor oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles or whatever your car’s manufacturer recommends. If you fail to get oil changes, then your engine won’t run as smoothly after a while. This will stress out your engine more and cause it to consume more fuel.