Best Auto Mechanics in Columbia Share 12 Gas Saving Tips
Posted by Brian England on Fri, Jun 25, 2010
I've written before about ways to save gas, but with gas prices continually, changing I thought I would ask the best auto mechanics in Columbia (our skilled automotive technicians) about saving gas. We used to protest about the possibility of gas costing $2.00 a gallon. Today, $3.00 + a gallon is often a reality, especially for premium grades. With high prices at the pumps, here are some ways you can get better gas mileage.
1. Hybrid Vehicles: Thinking about buying a new vehicle? Consider a hybrid vehicle that uses alternate fuels. Hybrid vehicles may cost a little more, but the gas savings can easily cover the additional cost, and you will be driving a "green" vehicle and helping the environment. Additionally, some hybrid vehicles qualify for tax rebates and allowances. Today, a hybrid vehicle performs as well as any gas powered vehicle, and better if the majority of your driving is in town. 2. Smaller Vehicles: If you are not ready to buy a hybrid vehicle consider buying a smaller vehicle. Avoid buying a SUV or a van as they are the most inefficient vehicles on the road. Their "boxy" shape is less aerodynamic and they are heavier, thereby using far more gas. Visit www.fueleconomy.gov where you can check out different vehicle gas-milage ratings. Make sure to check what grade of fuel the new car will use. A car that uses 87 octane compared to one that uses 91 octane will save you at least 10% on your gas cost. 3. Tires: Tire pressures play an important role in fuel economy. Under-inflated tires significantly lower your mileage and can result in poor or dangerous handling of your vehicle. Using the wrong replacement tires can do the same thing, specially if they have more rolling-resistance than the original tires. Don't buy cheap replacement tires, they could prove to be a lot more expensive in the long run. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturers recommended specifications - tire make and model. 4. Lower Speeds: Lowering your speed on the highway will save a lot of gas. Today's cars are manufactured to be most fuel efficient when driven at 55 mph. Drive at 70 mph, and you will be getting at least 5% less, miles-per-gallon, than if you drive at 55! 5. Less Weight: No, you don't have to go on a diet, just clean out your trunk of all nonessential items. When our technicians go in the trunk to check the spare tire pressure they sometime have to spend a long time digging through stuff!! The extra weight uses more gas. Accessories, such as luggage and ski racks and light bars add weight and increase wind resistance. If you have one you're not using, remove it. Using a car-top carrier or towing a trailer will also decrease your gas mileage. Trailers and car-top carriers present a large, flat surface that increases wind resistance (the opposite of the streamlined, sleek race car which is designed to cut smoothly through the wind). Heavily loading your vehicle dramatically decreases your miles per gallon. Heavily loading your vehicle and using a trailer or car-top carrier - will compound the problem. And if you load the vehicle beyond its safe weight limit, (check your owner's manual), you add safety problems to increased fuel use. 6. Preventative Car Care: The best way to get the best mileage from your vehicle is to keep your car well maintained. An engine that is not regularly serviced will burn more gas. Preventive maintenance saves you money in the long run, by maintaining your car's fuel economy. Don't wait for your vehicle to break down, keep it regularly maintained and save money. And, of course, you will drive with more confidence - no-one wants to be left stranded at the side of the road. 7. "Light Right": What do I mean by this? Control your right foot! Gentle acceleration and gentle braking can save you up to 10% of your gas used. At today's prices this converts to over 30 cents a gallon! Vehicles are most inefficient when accelerating quickly away from rest. So, take it slowly and save gas. Judge your stopping distance, slow down early when approaching red stop lights, if you don't have to come to a stop, you will save gas and money. 8. Air-Conditioner: Using the air conditioner does use more gas. However, at highway speeds, you're better off with the windows closed and the air conditioner running - open windows at high speeds produce a lot of drag. At lower speeds, (such as in city traffic), opening the windows will not significantly increase the vehicle's drag. So, under those conditions, windows open and air conditioning off will probably lower your fuel economy. 9. Avoid Stop and Go: Use routes with less traffic and fewer stop signs/stoplights (idling is an inefficient use of gasoline). Keep a safe distance from cars in front of you - avoid hard and regular braking. Less frequent braking makes it easier to maintain a steady speed. 10. Drive Less: This seems obvious, but there are many ways to drive less. Consolidate your errands so that you make longer trips with shorter wait times between stops (a warm engine uses fuel more efficiently). Have you considered carpooling to work? Check with work colleagues that live near you, post a message on the notice board at work, or even in your local grocery store or library. You probably have a neighbor who also works close to your office who wants to save money too! How about talking to your boss about working four 10hr days instead of five 8hr days? That alone will save you 20% of your commuting cost. If everyone in the country did that, just think how much money would be saved and the positive effect it would have on the environment! 11. Use the correct gas: If the manufacturer says use 87 octane, use 87 octane! Using a higher octane will not make your engine run better, or clean the engine. In fact, it has the opposite effect - it costs you money. In the same vain if your vehicle's recommended octane is 91, don't use a lower octane. Your engine may seem to run smoothly on a lower octane, but in today's vehicles, the engine automatically compensates for the lower octane fuel by adjusting the engine settings, this leads to less miles per gallon. 12. Alternative Transport: How about investigating public transport? There are many train and bus services in the area. Check out the new Howard Transit Bus system (The green buses you have seen driving around all over town). Visit www.howardtransit.com for complete information on routes, schedules and prices. Which ever way you choose to save gas, remember as well as saving money you are helping the environment. Safe Driving. photo courtesy of beve4