With gas prices well above $2 and quickly on the rise, getting the
most bang for your buck at the fuel pump is more important than
ever. Whether you’ve just bought a gas-thrifty car or are trying to
improve your current vehicle’s fuel economy, there are a number of
easy measures you can take to maximize your car’s miles per gallon
(while minimizing its impact on the planet).
- Aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration and
hard braking can lower your gas mileage by up to 33 percent at
highway speeds and by 5 percent at city speeds. - Wind speeds more than 60 mph reduces a car’s fuel efficiency ?
the faster you travel, the more gas you burn. More than 50 percent
of the energy required to move a vehicle is spent overcoming wind
drag. A loaded roof rack can decrease fuel economy by up to 5
percent. - Turn off the air conditioning, or keep it on a low setting. It
can decrease fuel economy from 5 percent to 25 percent when set on
‘high.’ - Keep your tires properly inflated. On average, tires lose about
1 pound per square inch (psi) per month, and 1 psi for every
10-degree drop in temperature. For every 3 pounds below recommended
pressure, fuel economy is reduced by about 1 percent. - Take your vehicle in for regular tune-ups. A clean air filter
can add up to 10 percent to your car’s fuel efficiency.
