Tips on increasing gas mileage

Owning car is wonderful because it gives you the freedom to go wherever you want anytime. But the cost of maintaining the car can be quite prohibitive because of the maintenance costs and of course, gas. In particular, gas can be quite expensive, not just because of rising fuel prices but because most car owners don’t know how to maximize their gas consumption.

If you want to increase your gas mileage and, thus, save money on fuel costs, follow these tips:

Buy a more fuel efficient car

As solutions go, this is a very radical way of saving gas. But the decision is quite sound. If you currently own a car that consumes a lot of gas then switching to a vehicle that consumes less gas while delivering good mileage is a great solution. Most of the nifty features that are included by car manufacturers on their cars’ engines are really meant for those who are into high performance. But if you have no plans of entering a car race and only use your car as a people carrier then a car that doesn’t have all those bells and whistles will suit your purposes just fine. A great choice would be hybrids like the Prius, which can operate on both gas and electricity. In fact, the demand for hybrids is increasing so you can expect more hybrid models to be released in the next few years.

Lighten up your car

The heavier your car gets, the more gas it consumes. That’s why you should remove all of the things in your trunk that you don’t really use. Open your trunk and look at what’s inside. Determine if the things inside really should be there all the time. If the use of the item is only sporadic then remove it and just put it back if you’re going to have a use for it.

Tune up your car

Make sure your car’s engine is operating at maximum efficiency. This can only be done by having your engine tuned up regularly. A tuned up car will consume gas efficiently. Also, don’t forget to have your spark plugs checked and also your wheel alignment. Also ask your mechanic to look for vacuum leaks that can affect your consumption of gas.

Check your tires

The air pressure on your tires can also affect your gas consumption. Under-inflated tires will exert more friction on the road, and thus will make your car consume more gas. When buying tires, look for models that have low rolling resistance, which minimizes drag.

Ease up on the gas pedal

Try to be consistent in your speed when driving. Keep your car moving at a constant 55 miles per hour if possible. The more you increase your speed the more you consume more gas. This also means that you should drive more smoothly by eliminating any sudden stops and accelerations. Learn to anticipate the traffic conditions so you keep your car rolling smoothly.

Picture from Gas Mileage Tips