Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Gas Mileage Improvements: 5 Secrets

Gas mileage improvements are easy easy to get with very little effort. This article provides you with 5 improvements that anyone can use right now. As we all know, if you can improve your gas mileage you can save money. That's what this is all about.

Keep this fact in the back of your mind. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that by applying some minor adjustments to your driving, you can increase your gas mileage by up to 33 percent. I'll show you how to do much better.

Gas Mileage Improvement Secret 1: Keep Your Car Well Maintained

Here's an easy one. Check with your mechanic, and read your manual to make sure you are up to date with all the regular maintenance on your car. Simple things like replacing a dirty air filter can save you an average of 32 cents a gallon. Getting a tune up can save you 13 cents a gallon, and keeping your tires inflated at the proper level can save you another 10 cents a gallon. Plus, keeping a well maintained car has the added benefit of increasing the life of your engine.

Gas Mileage Improvement Secret 2: Drive Smoothly

Try to eliminate as many quick starts and stops as possible. The vast majority of your fuel is used to get your car up to cruising speed, so the longer you can keep your car at a steady pace, the more money you'll save. In fact, the EPA says that by eliminating excessive speeding, hard breaking and quick starts, you can save up to 92 cents per gallon. Imagine paying a buck less per gallon at the pump next time you fill up! (Tip: Use Hypermiling for better MPG)

Gas Mileage Improvement Secret 3. Clean Out Your Car

There are two forces that every car (hybrids, water fueled cars, standard gasoline powered cars) have to overcome in order to move. They are wind resistance and gravity. Consider removing attachments such as bike racks and car-top carriers, making your car more aerodynamic. A car top carrier on a mid sized sedan can knock as much as six miles per gallon off your efficiency. It's even simpler when it comes to dropping weight. Clean out your trunk, unload your car as soon as you reach your destination- do whatever you can to lighten your car, because for every 100 pounds you drop, your fuel efficiency increases by 2 percent.

Gas Mileage Improvement Secret 4: Time Management and Smart Commuting

What does the time of day you drive your car have to do with fuel economy? Simple. Avoiding traffic means driving more efficiently. With that in mind, try to stagger your work hours to avoid driving during the busiest periods. If you own more than one car, drive the most fuel efficient most often.

Gas Mileage Improvement Secret 5: Convert Your Car to Run on Water

Sounds crazy, right? Of course it does, but thousands of people are already taking advantage of the hydrogen in H20 by converting their car to run partially on water. Most people can hook up these kits themselves, and it generally costs no more than $150 to get set up. By taking advantage of water car technology, you can save up to 60% on your fuel. That's more than all the above tips combined!

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