How to improve gas mileage on your vehicle

By John Graham It is impossible to pick up a news paper, turn on the radio or television, or to listen to office conversation at the water cooler without hearing about the high price of gasoline these days. Every where you turn people are talking about the impact that the high gas prices is having on their household finances. Many people have to find a way to adjust their budgets to accommodate for the rising costs.

Many people are asking the question of how to improve gas mileage on their vehicles and others are purchasing more economical cars. There are some practical things that can be done to decrease the number of trips that are made to the pump. One of the simplest answers to how to improve gas mileage is simply to drive less. Incorporate errands so you are not making as many trips car pool and ride share as often as possible. If there are short trips try walking or riding a bike. Young drivers are often hard on gas mileage because they do not drive at a consistent rate of speed. Talk to your young drivers about accelerating slowly and driving the speed limit. Another answer to how to improve gas mileage is to make sure that you have proper inflation in your tires. Check on your tires to make sure that they are filled to the manufactured suggested amount of pressure. Tires that are under inflated can reduce gas mileage by up to 20%.

My children have been complaining that they need to contribute more money to the family car than they have in the past. This reduces the amount of money that they have to spend. My husband and I had a conversation with them regarding how to improve gas mileage and also to reduce the number of miles they drive by ride sharing and using other modes of transportation. I also thought that it was good for them to realize the larger scope of the increase in the gas prices. I had them come to the grocery store with me and I explained how much fruits and vegetables have gone up because of the higher cost of shipping as well as running the farm equipment that is needed to produce the food. They were surprised at how much the price of gas affects all aspects of our economy. We talked about needing to make choices about which trips are essential and which ones can wait until they can be incorporated with other errands. I think they are learning a good lesson through the rise of gas prices. It is easier to get them to listen when they are feeling the affects in the amount of money that is in their wallets.

Tips for improving your gas milage

1. Make sure your car is well tuned
2. Do not carry any extra weight in your trunk
3. Adjust your tire pressure to the maximum amount
4. Reduce trips to the grocery store and for small errands
5. Consider taking the bus to work at least once a week.
6. Consider car pooling with neighbours and friends who work in the same area as you.
7. Shop for a gas rebate credit card.
8. Think about trading your vehicle in for a hybrid or smaller car that consumes less gas mileage.
9. Don't leave your car idling, when you can turn your motor off.
10. Do not drive at high speeds, as your car will use much more gas than at lower speeds.
11. Buy your gas after 7:00pm as prices can be lower at that time of day, and don't buy gas on weekends and especially before and during holidays or long weekends.
12. Do not use your air conditioner on warm days when ever possible.
13. Windown sun reflectors can reduce car interior heat, and reduce air conditioner requirements.
14. Change your schedule to avoid sitting in traffic and long idling or your motor.
15. Walk or bicycle to work in the summer and get some exercise at the same time.
16. Use a website that posts the best gas prices in your neighbourhood such as Gasbuddy.com or Gaspricewatch.com

 

Here are some related articles

Vehicle Gas Mileage a concern
Our world has been designed to where we typically need cars, trucks, and SUVs to get from point A to point B. The true concern here is vehicle gas mileage. Can you afford to drive back and fourth to work on a daily basis? If the answer is no, you may want to consider a different vehicle, read more...

Finding the Best Gas Mileage SUV
Travel can be very expensive even when you aren’t traveling by plane. The cost of commuting to work and play can be overwhelming if you have a large vehicle. However, many of us need bigger vehicles to accommodate our needs. It is a great idea to find the best gas mileage SUV on the market, read more...