More Tips For Fuel Efficient Driving
Some Pointers to Save on Gas
Respect the affixed top speed permitted on a given road, always driving at a steady rate. You might be interested to know that you consume more fuel when you drive faster. This means that driving at a constant 55mph (90km/h) can make you save up to fifteen percent on fuel.
The fact is that when driving over 60 mph (96.56km/h), you begin to burn more gas per distance travelled. Also, when not moving, try not to let the engine running for too long. This will only contribute to global warming and less money in your wallet. Remember, when the engine is running you are burning money. Keep this in mind next time you have to stop for more than half a minute. Always stop the motor.
Even during wintertime, don't warm-up your car for longer than necessary. Of course, depending on the weather, it might take longer to warm-up the car's engine and defog the windshield. It is important that a car's engine be well heated so it will not stall down the road.
Another aspect you must consider for saving money on fuel is the condition of your tires. If your tires don't have the proper pressure, you will consume more. It is recommended that you measure the pressure of the tires when the car has not been driven for a while. The reason being that when the tires are warm, the pressure it contains is higher and won't give you a valid reading.
The normal procedure is that you always examine the tires of your car before getting in. Always add air to your tires when needed as soon as you can. Once at the service station, get all tires to the same pressure level. Keep in mind that even if your radial tires look okay, they may need more pressure.
Check the pressure of the tires whenever you can. You may want to invest in a tire gauge which you can use each time to measure the pressure, so to always get the same reading. Normally, 1 psi will be lost in tire pressure when the temperature goes down by ten degrees, or simply by the passing of time (about one month).
Choosing the appropriate gear will also help in fuel economy if you drive standard. If you drive automatic, the gears will automatically shift. The reason for having the correct gear is that more fuel is consumed when maintaining a lower than recommended gear.
Did you know that air conditioning in a car can raise the amount of fuel consumed? Try to avoid using air conditioning, instead open the vents or windows of the car when driving in the city. On the other hand, if driving on the highway at high speed, you will consume less fuel with the air conditioner on.
The octane factor of the gasoline can also influence the car's fuel economy. Although most cars run on fuel that has a low octane factor, it is always wise to see exactly what you should be using.