Article Advise

submitted: Aug 25th 2008 | by: JonButtress | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 389 | |

Go to the gas station these days and you can see why they put plexiglass around the cashier. The prices are simply outrageous. Unfortunately, that isn't going to change significantly, so the key to getting around is making your gas go farther.

New vehicles will not obtain their optimal fuel economy until the engine has broken in. Seals, gaskets and such need time and friction to correctly seal. This may take 3-5 thousand miles depending on the car you have. Check your owner's manual.

Having a lead foot is expensive. Quick acceleration and heavy braking can reduce fuel economy by up to 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent around town. Consistent speeds produce better mileage.

Repeat after me. Actually, don't. Repeating is a big gas waster. What am I talking about? Keep a journal of how many times you run out to do something every day. Group them into as few trips as possible and you'll make your gas buck go father.

A good chill can slow you down. The same goes for your car or truck. A cold engine does not perform efficiently. This means it wastes gas regardless of how carefully you drive.

Ah, but there is a time tested method for beating the cold car blues, right? You just let the car idle until it warms up. Just like the change your oil every 3,000 miles myth, this one is wrong. You'll actually use more fuel!

Aerodynamics are the biggest factor in gas mileage. The air resists things moving through it. If you put racks on your vehicle to carry bikes, luggage and what have you, you are creating drag and lowering your gas mileage.

Here's one way to save gas that you should definitely know already. When it gets hot outside, don't crank on the air conditioner in your car. It will reduce your mileage by up to 25 percent. Open a window and get the air moving.

There are a few other factors to keen in mind. A tuned engine burns fuel efficiently, so make sure yours is. While correctly inflated tires are important, making sure your car is aligned properly is equaly so.

The big question when it comes to fuel prices is when we will hit the tipping point where it changes society. If you want to continue to drive that gas guzzler, you're going to have to pay.

About the Author

Jon Buttress writes about fuel issues for HybridDealerDepot.com, where you can find Alabama hybrid car dealers.

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