Gas Saving Tips

I was hanging out in the garage the other day talking with some guys and we began discussing the price of gas. Showing my age a little, but I remember selling gas for less than $1 a gallon. One of the guys asked me "What are some of the things I can do to my vehicle that will improve my fuel mileage and save me money?" There are a few things a person can do to their vehicle that will help improve gas mileage and they really don't cost that much.

One of the main things that most people do not think about is the air pressure in their tires. Having the correct air pressure in your tires will save you money at the pump. A tire that is 6 psi below the manufacturer's recommended inflation rate could cause a decrease of 5% in fuel economy. Not to mention the excessive wear it creates on the tires themselves. To determine the correct air pressure, most vehicle manufacturers have the tire information listed on the vehicle identification sticker located on the drivers door or door jam. The information listed will tell you the correct tire size for the vehicle and the recommended amount of air to be used. If the information sticker is not their, most tire manufacturers list there recommended pressure rating on the side of the tire itself. These amounts may conflict between one another. Always use the vehicle manufacture's recommendations when possible.

The next item is the engine air filter. Not only is it an important factor in fuel economy, it also is an important part of a healthy engine. A dirty, clogged air filter could rob you up to 10% of your fuel mileage. It is recommended that you change the air filter every 12,000 miles or once a year. However, that is based on normal air conditions that one may find if they drive the interstate all the time. In reality, most of us drive in dirty air conditions, be it graveled country roads or behind a diesel burning bus in the big city, where a lot of contamination is in the air. I would suggest changing the air filter in your vehicle at least once every six months or every 6,000 miles depending on which came first. Most air filters cost less than $20 with a majority of them costing less than $10. The best part of the air filter is that on most models you can change it yourself and save yourself some money for having a specialist change it for you.

A good old fashioned tune-up may be the ticket as well. On some of the newer cars, a tune-up may consist of only spark plugs. However, on most of the vehicles a tune-up would consist of spark plugs, spark plug wires, and fuel filter. The down side of a tune-up is that it is a little more detailed than just removing a couple of screws or clips. It may require a professional to perform this procedure. A general rule of thumb, if your vehicle has between 80,000 and 100,000 miles on it. you probably need to schedule a tune-up. Most shops may also run an engine diagnostics to check and see if all the sensors are working properly and the correct fuel pressure is being maintained.

There are other things that help save gas such as taking off from a stop at a normal speed instead of trying to reach the speed limit in 1.2 seconds or less. Instead of waiting until you get to the stop sign, start slowing down when you reach the "Stop Ahead" sign. This will also save money on brake repair. Shut the car off when you run in for a Latte at your local coffee shop or convenience store. Schedule a wheel alignment. A vehicle with improper wheel alignment tends to use more gas compared to a properly aligned vehicle. Run a premium fuel injector cleaner through your gas tank every oil change or 3,000 miles.

Most of these suggestions can be performed at home without having to spend much money. If you need to have repairs made to your vehicle by a professional, shop around. Ask your friends. Don't just take it to the guy down the street because that is where your parents always went. Research the shops in your area and find out who has the best labor rate and does the highest quality of work. While these things aren't going too improve your mileage by 10 miles per gallon, they will help and they will also save you money on premature repairs.

Thank you for visiting. Have a blessed day.

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