Gas-Saving Tips
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Gas-Saving Tips
Vehicle fuel efficiency is important for the environment and for your wallet. With gas prices increasing, now is the perfect time to learn how to improve on your fuel efficiency.
The best strategy is to carpool, drive a vehicle designed for high fuel-efficiency, or to switch to alternative means of transportation such as walking or biking. Below are some tips for getting the highest fuel efficiency from your current vehicle. For additional information on saving gas, visit the US Department of Energy's fuel economy website.
- Check your tire pressure. Tires that are underinflated result in greater friction with the road. This causes a vehicle to work harder to travel the same distance, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency. Testing at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that for each pound of pressure below the recommended level in your tires, there is a 0.3% loss in fuel efficiency 1. Therefore, if your tires are 10 pounds under, you're losing 3% in fuel efficiency.
- Keep your car well maintained. Regular maintenance ensures that fuel efficiency problems can be detected and addressed. In addition, the emissions of a well maintained car are less polluting than those of a poorly maintained car. Common vehicle problems include faulty spark plugs, low transmission fluid, sticky brake calipers, loose belts, a broken thermostat, or a dirty air filter.
- Buy low-octane gas. Use the type of gas recommended by your owner's manual. There are no advantages to using premium gas if it's not required.
- Use the proper oil. Using thicker oil than is necessary for your car reduces gas mileage by causing the engine to work harder to push through the oil. Check your owner's manual for the recommended viscosity and make sure that the proper oil is used when you have your oil changed.
- Slow down! Driving fast and accelerating quickly wastes gas. Maintain a reasonable, consistent speed.
- Anticipate stops and brake less. Instead of accelerating until the last possible moment and braking suddenly to slow down, simply coast to a stop if you know that you will need to stop soon.
- Don't idle. According to the California Energy Commission, you should turn your car engine off if you are in a drive-through line or waiting for someone and will be sitting for 10 seconds or longer 2. This 10 second guideline is given because 10 seconds of idling uses more energy than restarting your car. Today's modern car engines are designed to warm up as they drive. Even in extremely cold weather, you need no more than 30 seconds of idling to "warm up" your engine before driving away. Excessive idling can actually damage your vehicle's components because when you idle, fuel does not combust in the same way as when you are driving and can form fuel residue buildup in your engine. In short, not idling saves you gas money, wear and tear on your car, and reduces pollution.
- Limit the use of roof racks on your car. Aerodynamic drag from a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel efficiency by up to 5% 3. To avoid this problem, store items inside your vehicle whenever possible.
- Don't carry around extra weight. An extra 100 pounds in your car reduces fuel efficiency by 1-2% 4.
- Combine trips. Save time and money by combining errands into one trip. If possible, incorporate errands into a drive you already plan to make, such as your drive home from work.
References
1. Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc. "Owner Related Fuel Economy Improvements." Arlington, Virginia, 2001. Available online at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/pdfs/OwnerRelatedFuelEconomyImprovements.pdf. Last accessed 28 November 2012.
2. California Energy Commission. "Should I Shut off the Motor When I'm Idling My Car." Available online at http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html. Last accessed 28 November 2012.
3. US Department of Energy and US Environmental Protection Agency. "Planning and Combining Trips." Available online at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/planning.shtml. Last accessed 28 November 2012.
4. US Department of Energy and US Environmental Protection Agency. "Driving More Efficiently." Available online at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drivehabits.shtml. Last accessed 28 November 2012.