Seven Ways to Increase Fuel Efficiency

If all you have is a car to fill up, consider yourself lucky. Airlines, truckers and boat owners are feeling the gas price pinch even harder than the vast majority of Americans. That isn’t to say $4 a gallon isn’t hard on the wallet, however. Below are some tips you can use to increase fuel efficiency. Every car or truck is different, and some of these tips may not apply to all. Remember, applying as many tips as possible will give you greater fuel economy, as they have an accumulative effect.

1) Keep your vehicle properly maintained. Taking your vehicle in for regular maintenance as described in it’s manual will ensure that you keep your driving machine in fine working order. Dirty oil, old air filters, etc. make vehicles work harder to go the same distance, thus reducing efficiency. Also, learn to do basic maintenance yourself. Doing your own basic maintenance will save precious money you would otherwise pay for a mechanic. It is simple to do and learn, and if you aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves and get a bit dirty, you’ll find that extra cash can be spent in better ways. Here’s an excellent guide to changing your vehicle’s oil.

2) Keep your tires inflated to their recommended air pressure. This increases your vehicle’s efficiency by reducing the friction between your vehicle’s tires and the road. Pressure gauges are cheap and can be found in practically any gas station store, and it usually takes less than 5-10 minutes to check all the tires.

3) Reduce the wind resistance your vehicle has. Here’s some common tricks:

* If your vehicle has a roof rack you don’t use, take it off. It will help your wallet.
* Keep your windows rolled up whenever possible.
* For truck owners, keeping the tailgate UP will reduce resistance. Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters proved this sometime ago.
* Do the speed limit. Seriously, wind resistance grow exponentially the faster you go and higher speeds reduce fuel efficiency. You’ll also save lots of $$$ by not getting a ticket.

4) Use regular gas unless your vehicle’s engine requires premium gas. This kind of information can usually be found in the vehicle manual. If you only need regular, spending that extra 5 bucks for premium could be better spent on your morning latte. Or better yet, saved in your wallet. Over the course of a year you’ll probably save over $100.

5) Got junk in your trunk? The heavier your vehicle is, the more fuel it uses. If you’ve sports bags, lumber or whatever else laying around in the back, consider taking them out when you’re not using them. By lightening the load of unnecessary stuff, you can help increase your fuel economy a few percent.

6) Accelerate slowly rather than slamming the pedal. Sure revving the engine is fun, but it also burns through gas faster than gradually getting up to speed.

7) Check to see how your vehicle fares in fuel efficiency charts. If it is lower on the list and you don’t need the extra horsepower or weight of your current vehicle, consider trading it in for a more efficient one. If you use your vehicle to simply commute to work, consider buying a smaller, more efficient car.

Or if your in the position, buy a cheap used commuter car and save your current one for fun drives or excursions. Using a more efficient commuter car for going to and from work, errands,etc. is one of the more effective ways to increase fuel economy. Just park the commuter car in the garage when you’re wanting a fun ride and take out your prized vehicle.