7 Tips to Reduce Automotive Fuel Costs
With prices at the pump at an all-time high, it pays now more than ever to take steps to reduce fuel consumption. Some simple maintenance tasks and changes in driving habits can result in significant fuel savings.
• Keep your engine tuned. Studies have shown that a poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 to 40 percent depending on a car's condition. A faulty oxygen sensor alone can reduce fuel economy by up to 40%. Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle owner manual; you'll save fuel and your car will run better and last longer.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. Underinflated tires cause fuel consumption to increase by six percent. Refer to your vehicle owner manual for proper tire pressure.
• Check and replace air filters regularly. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.
• Drive slower. The faster you drive, the more fuel you use. For example, driving at 65 miles per hour (mph), rather than 55 mph, increases fuel consumption by 20 percent. Driving at 75 mph, rather than 65 mph, increases fuel consumption by another 25 percent.
• Use overdrive gears. Overdrive gears improve the fuel economy of your car during highway driving. Your car's engine speed decreases when you use overdrive. This reduces both fuel consumption and engine wear.
• Consider more in a single car trip. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• Remove excess weight from the trunk. Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel economy by one to two percent
*This article is based on information published by the Environmental Protection Agency and www.fueleconomy.gov
