Top Ten Ways To Improve Gas Mileage - Simple Tips To Get More MPG For Your Car |
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Richard Legg
1 August 2008
Lets face it the price of gas is still rising and there is very little chance that it will ever fall back down to what it was. In fact the experts are predicting that it is going to get a lot worse, and this is sending many drivers into a frenzy trying to find ways to improve gas mileage and squeeze every last drop of gas out of their cars to get more MPG.
So just what can we do to get more MPG from our cars? Just a quick look on the internet will turn up hundreds of so called "gas mileage devices" that promise to get more MPG from your engine. Now I'm not saying that all these gas mileage devices are scams, but a lot of them sound pretty far fetched. With this in mind I have done some research and come up with ten ways to improve gas mileage using tips that most experts agree actually work.
1) This one is so obvious that it often gets overlooked. Make sure that your gas cap is in good condition and that the seal is not worn or broken. A loose or poor fitting gas cap will allow gas vapour to leak out, wasting precious fuel. As much as 17 gallons of gas a year can be lost due to a faulty gas cap. Also if and when you do replace it make sure you get a locking one as the rise in gas prices increases the rise in gas theft.
2) Stick with the right type of gas for your particular vehicle by using the correct octane rating that is recommended for it. A higher octane rated fuel such as premium will have little benefit for an engine designed to run on regular gas.
3) Don't let your engine idle for long periods. An engine that idles for 15 minutes can waste up to a gallon of gas.
4) Drive at a reasonable speed. The faster you drive the less fuel efficient your engine is, keeping your speed down is one of the best ways to improve gas mileage.
5) Make sure that your air filter is cleaned regularly. A clogged air filter will drastically reduce your fuel efficiency, so check it on a regular basis, especially if you drive on dirt roads where it will clog up quicker.
6) Don't forget your other filters. Routinely check your fuel filter and the PCU valve and breather filter. Replacing these can improve gas mileage by up to 15%
7) Get a mechanic to check your oxygen sensors. A faulty oxygen sensor can send more gas to the engine than it really needs to run efficiently.
8) Don't be a jack-rabbit driver. Always accelerate and break slowly (except in an emergency obviously). Fast accelerating and aggressive breaking will also reduce your fuel economy.
9) Keep your tires in good condition and check pressures regularly. A flat tire is a drag and will cost you gas.
10) Try to keep your weight down. All that junk you carry around in your trunk (the stuff you never use) is just adding to your gas bill.
These are just 10 simple ways to improve gas mileage and get more MPG for your car. There are many more and most of them are just common sense, so even if you don't invest in one of the new gas mileage devices on sale you can still make some savings and get more MPG for your car.