Maybe you're not in a financial position to purchase a more fuel efficient or low maintenance vehicle right now. But did you realize that you can do certain things to lower the costs of fueling and maintaining the automobile that you are currently driving?Fuel efficiency depends upon how and where you drive your car. If you want to get more gas mileage out of each gallon of gas you pump into your fuel tank, make an effort to practice fuel efficient techniques.
Your gas mileage decreases by as much as one-third on the highway when you drive over the speed limit, rapidly accelerate from a stopped position or rapidly put the brakes on the vehicle. So cut back on that "lead foot" driving technique, flow within speed limits and just say no to screeching jackrabbit starts and stops. When doing city driving, you can save as much as 5 percent of your fuel by eliminating that lead foot.
Cutting back on driving your car and alternating trips you can take by foot, public transportation or by bicycle, can also cut your fuel bills by an average of 5 percent. If your family owns two automobiles, use the more gas efficient model at nights and weekends for family trips and errands.
Fresh air makes your vehicle more gas efficient compared to using the air conditioner, which can cut your fuel efficiency by as much as 25%. So roll down that window or open the sunroof and cool off with a fresh breeze that's free!
Don't bother carrying items on your roof rack. Stow everything in the trunk for increased fuel efficiency. And be aware that every 100 pounds of junk you are carrying around in your car's trunk reduces your fuel economy by about 2 percent or an average of 12 gallons annually.
While waiting for a latecomer to arrive or stuck in the line at the food food drive-thru, avoid idling the car which simply wastes gas. See how many errands you can combine on the same trip to save on gas consumption. Investigate the possibility of carpooling to and from work with three other people and you've cut your fuel consumption by 75% when sharing gas costs.
Budget effectively to properly maintain your vehicle, because a well maintained automobile is automatically a fuel efficient car. Get oil changes at least twice a year or every 3,000 miles, and have the vehicle's fluids such as engine coolant, oil levels and transmission fluid checked then as well to prevent major engine failure and thousands of dollars in expenses. At every oil change, check the condition of your windshield wipers and replace them before you are stuck in a thunderstorm only to find out your wiper blades have rotted away.
Be sure your tires are properly inflated because low tire pressure decreases your gas efficiency, especially in very hot or very cold weather. Once a month a quick wash and wax also helps to preserve your car's exterior finish as well as the interior upholstery and carpeting. Every bit of maintenance you do is a good investment in extending the life, the good performance and the fuel efficiency of your car.
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