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Ten ways to save fuel...from the book "Auto Repair for Dummies" will give us all some old and new ideas on how we can get better gas mileage. Auto Repair for Dummies will also give you some car repair tips to save yourself money and to help you do it yourself. There's a lot of car maintenance that's simple to do by yourself, imagine the money you could save by skipping those trips to the automotive repair center!
(NAPSI)-Keeping your car running efficiently can help you save money, time, fuel and the environment. Here are hints to help from Deanna Sclar, author of the second edition of "Auto Repair for Dummies" (Wiley):
1. Don't warm up your car in the morning. It wastes fuel.
2. Change the way you drive. Start up and accelerate smoothly. Don't speed and don't keep changing lanes. Decelerate instead of braking.
3. Keep cool but not too cool. Use interior vents, the sunroof or windows instead of air conditioning.
4. Fill 'er up properly. Don't overfill your tank and fill up during cooler times of the day.
5. Check your tires. Underinflated and overinflated tires wear out faster.
6. Change your shopping habits. Combine several short trips into one longer one. Carpool.
7. Clean out your trunk. Every 500 pounds you haul costs you from 2 to 5 mpg.
8. Check under the hood. A dirty air filter can cost a mile per gallon at 50 mph. Misfiring spark plugs can increase fuel consumption by 25 percent.
9. Keep your car waxed. Wax preserves the paint and cuts wind resistance.
10. Buy a hybrid. A hybrid can get you close to 60 mpg, and you may even qualify for a federal rebate. Check for state rebates at www.eere.energy.gov.
The book is available wherever books are sold and online at www.dummies.com.