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With gas prices climbing faster than you can say “fill ‘er up”, getting better gas mileage is one sure way to keep a little more cash in your pockets. Here are some tried-and-true ways to lessen the pain at the pump:
1. Slow down. Every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like spending another 20 cents per gallon for gas, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You can save 7 percent to 23 percent on the highway by driving closer to 60 mph, which is where most vehicles achieve maximum fuel efficiency.
2. Calm down. Punching the accelerator, rapid breaking and other forms of aggressive driving can cut fuel efficiency by as much as one-third at highway speeds and 5 percent in the city. Driving more sensibly can save you 19 cents to $1.23 a gallon, the EPA estimates.
3. Lighten up. Don’t haul around anything you don’t have to. Reducing the weight in your car by 100 pounds can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent, the EPA says, or up to 7 cents a gallon. The savings is greatest in smaller, lighter cars. Also, a loaded roof rack can cut gas mileage by up to 5 percent; keep your bags in the trunk if at all possible.
4. Keep going. Idling wastes gas; the bigger the engine, the more gas wasted. Consider going inside to order a burger rather than waiting in a long drive-through line. It’s better for the environment, too. Using cruise control and the overdrive gear at highway speeds also improves your gas mileage.
5. Tune it up. A car that isn’t running well wastes gas. A tune-up and other repairs can improve your gas mileage by about 4 percent, or 15 cents a gallon, the EPA says. Fixing a serious problem can improve mileage by a whopping 40 percent. Repairs might be expensive, but at today’s gas prices, can you afford not to fix the problem?
6. Clean it up. A clogged air filter can increase your gas mileage by up to 10 percent, or 37 cents a gallon. And using the proper grade of motor oil can save 1 percent to 2 percent, or 4 to 7 cents per gallon.
7. Pump it up. Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage by up to 3 percent, or 11 cents per gallon.
The above savings are based on a gas price of $3.72 per gallon.
Published on July 08, 2008