Rising gas
prices wreak havoc on budgets. Now you need new tires? And then car insurance
premiums just increased. That car is a huge expense. From struggling to pay car
payments to dipping into savings to cover repairs and maintenance, driving
drains bank accounts. Minimize trips to the gas station and how often you fill
up with these driving and car care tips.
Tire inflation Tires affect gas mileage, and
poorly inflated tires can reduce your gas mileage. Tires inflated to the
correct tire pressure can improve performance. Properly inflated tires grip the
road better and don't wear out as quickly as under inflated tires.
- Increase your
mileage by 3.3% by keeping tires inflated to proper pressure.
- Check your
tire pressure regularly. A tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can
lose up to one psi per month. Find the recommended psi level for your car in
the vehicle owner's manual or ask an auto expert.
Install tires that promote better fuel economy. A set of cheap Goodyear tires made with fuel saving tread compound can save 2,600 miles
worth of gas over the tires' lifetime, according to DiscountTireDirect.com
rolling resistance tires like Michelin Latitude Tour tires can improve fuel
economy. Rubber creates less resistance against a paved surface on the road.
Driving tips Change your driving habits and see
your mileage decrease. Aggressive driving pumps the accelerator pedal
excessively. As a result, the door for jackrabbit starts and stops. Frequent
and sudden acceleration and deceleration forces your engine to work harder and causing
more gas consumption. How you apply the brake and the throttle can improve your
fuel economy by 25% or higher, Frugal Driver notes. To avoid putting the pedal
to the metal, visualize a delicate object, such as an egg or a sponge, between
the bottom of the pedal and the floor. This will help train your foot to press
gently on either pedal. You'll drive with the flow of traffic, rather than
dictating it.
Hypermiling pointers Drivers go to extremes to maximize
their fuel. Hypermiling is the driving tactic of reducing aggressive driving,
regulating traffic patterns and anticipating stops at intersections and traffic
lights.
- Fill up
less with these hypermiling pointers:
- Plot out
routes that have fewer stop signs and traffic lights
- Pick roads
that are less traveled and drive in lanes that have less stop-and-go driving
- Clear out
the junk in your trunk. A trunk filled with multiple objects adds a ton of
extra weight and forces the engine to work harder when you drive.
- Find
barriers from crosswinds, such as a tree or building. These winds can increase
fuel consumption, according to Ecomodder.com. Also, traveling in a corridor of
traffic can offer aerodynamic benefits that require less fuel for your vehicle
to maintain forward momentum.
1 comments:
Great driving tips. These will definitely improve my driving habits.
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