Car News Articles 
 Alternative Fuel Vehicles
 Automotive Articles
 Car Buying Tips
 Car Insurance Articles
 Car Maintenance
 Car News
 Car Racing
 Car Repair
 Car Safety
 
 Driving Economically
 Gas Mileage (106)
 Environmental Issues
 Exterior Car Care
 Garage Know How
 
 How Car Stuff Works
 Motorcycle Articles
 Road Trips
 Traveling with Kids
 Younger - Older Drivers
 
 Amsoil Synthetic Oil
 Article Archives




spacer
spacer
Driving Economically >> Gas Mileage

Tune Up, Slow Down, And Unload To Squeeze Extra Miles Per Gallon Of Gasoline For Your Car


Tune Up, Slow Down And Unload To Squeeze Extra Miles Per Gallon

Following Fuel-Efficiency Tips Can Save Money At The Pump

(NAPSI)—You cannot stop what seem like constant increases in the price of gasoline, but you can take several common-sense steps to squeeze more miles out of a gallon.

“Although today’s vehicles are engineered with fuel-saving technologies, it still takes maintenance to ensure your vehicle performs as efficiently as it did when it left the factory,” said Roger Clark, General Motors Energy Center senior manager. “Drivers can improve their own fuel economy by making some very minor behavior changes.”

Here are a dozen tips for fuel savings from Chevrolet Certified Service:

1. Tune Up:

A properly tuned engine can improve fuel economy about 4 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Fixing a serious issue—such as a faulty oxygen sensor—can boost mileage up to 40 percent, so don’t ignore a service-engine-soon light.

2. Pump Up:

Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. Underinflated tires can lower fuel economy by 0.3 percent for every one pound-per-square-inch drop in the pressure of all four tires. Do not rely solely on the tire pressure−monitoring system to detect an underinflated tire—it’s best to check tires with a good gauge once a month and check your owner’s manual for more information.

3. Unpack:

Carrying unneeded cargo makes your vehicle work harder and use more gas. The EPA says an extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy up to 2 percent—even more in smaller vehicles. A loaded roof rack cuts fuel economy by up to 5 percent because a quarter of each gallon of gas goes toward overcoming wind resistance.

4. Slow Down:

While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph, according to the EPA. Every 5 mph over 60 mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas.

5. Avoid Idling:

A car gets 0 mpg when the engine is idling: While it does take a small amount of fuel to restart a vehicle, 15 minutes in the drive-through can burn through a quarter of a gallon of fuel.

6. Chill Out:

Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in city driving.

7. Put it in Overdrive:

Using an overdrive gear on the highway reduces engine speed, saving both fuel and engine wear.

8. Roll ‘Em Down Around Town:

Air conditioning reduces fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. Avoid using the air conditioner by rolling down the windows at speeds below 40 mph. At speeds above 45 mph, wind drag uses more fuel than running the A/C.

9. Unclog:

It’s hard to run if you can’t breathe. Older cars without fuel injection and computer-controlled technology can lose 14 percent of their fuel economy because of a dirt-clogged air filter. In modern cars, replacing a dirty or clogged air filter improves acceleration performance.

10. Use the Right Oil:

Because oil reduces engine friction and friction makes an engine work harder, using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil improves fuel economy by 1 percent to 2 percent.

11. Plan Your Trips:

Taking your kids to soccer or swim classes? Grocery shopping? Combining trips saves fuel and time.

12. Cap Check:

Loose or poorly fitting gas caps not only can trigger the “check engine” light, they send 147 million gallons of gasoline into the air as vapor every year, according to the Discovery Channel. A missing or poorly fitting cap can reduce fuel economy by 1 percent to 2 percent.

For more easy vehicle care tips, check with your local Chevrolet Certified Service technician or visit www.mycertifiedservice.com, where you can view eight new informative videos that include easy vehicle care tips.







Related Articles:
Squeeze More Savings Out Of The Gas Pump This Summer
Driving Smart Can Mean Significant Savings At The Gas Pump
Get Better Gas Mileage With New Technology
Adapt Your Vehicle And Driving Habits To Combat Rising Gas Prices
Stop-Start Systems In Vehicles Substantially Reduce Fuel Consumption And Air Pollution
Earth Talk: What Is The Status Of Higher Fuel Efficiency Standards For Cars?
Slowing The Gas Price Roller Coaster
A Gallon Of Gas Can Go A Lot Further Than You Think
A Pre-Trip Inspection Can Mean Better Mileage
Gas Prices Steer Buyers To Fuel-Efficient Cars
Tune Up, Slow Down, And Unload To Squeeze Extra Miles Per Gallon Of Gasoline For Your Car
Top Five Ways To Beat Rising Gas Prices
Test Your Fuel Knowledge - Dispel The Myths About Gasoline
Test Your Fuel Knowledge - It's Like A Trivia Quiz About Fuel!
How Smart Truck Drivers Get Better Gas Mileage

spacer
sdg
make image
model image
zip code


Stay Updated!


Gas Mileage
Related Articles
Simple Steps To Save Gas
Facts About Fuel Ratings
Six Ways To Reduce Fuel
How To Improve Your Vehicle’s
Fuel-stretch Tips To Maximize Your
Squeeze More Savings Out Of
Driving Smart Can Mean Significant
Get Better Gas Mileage With
Adapt Your Vehicle And Driving
Stop-Start Systems In Vehicles Substantially
Earth Talk: What Is The
Slowing The Gas Price Roller
A Gallon Of Gas Can
A Pre-Trip Inspection Can Mean
Gas Prices Steer Buyers To
Tune Up, Slow Down, And
Top Five Ways To Beat
Test Your Fuel Knowledge -
Test Your Fuel Knowledge -
How Smart Truck Drivers Get
spacer

Feed Button



Car Insurance Info | Newsletter | Car Classifieds | Online Car Rentals
Auto Pictures | Link To Carjunky.com



Complete List of Article RSS News Feeds


Copyright © 1999 - . CarJunky® All Rights Reserved.