- Thursday, July 2, 2009

(Randy Carter, BIG BLOG THEORY)

Seen ads and reports on TV about "Green driving" lately? How about higher gas prices?

Here are 10 simple tips to get better performance from your vehicle (And pocketbook).

• Stay calm, relaxed and sensible - Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. This alone can lower your gas mileage by about one-third or 33-percent. If you don't trust me, ask the MythBusters. In Episode 103 that first aired August 6, 2008, they confirmed it. (You will enjoy this even more if you watch the VIDEO from the 6:45 mark and follow it with the next in sequence!)



• Observe (And obey) the Speed Limit - Yes, vehicles reach optimal fuel economy at different speeds (or range of speeds), but gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds higher than 60 mph (100 kph). Studies have shown that your fuel costs approximately $0.30 more per gallon ($0.05 per liter) for every 5 mph (8 kph) over 60 mph (100 kph). Did you know that Speed Limits are set for ideal conditions? That means dry roads, clear vision, no wind or precipitation, no distractions (Phones, maps, meals, kids, etc.)



• Unload before you leave - Keep your trunk or storage spaces as empty as possible. Try not to tote unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. Pounds add up quickly, and an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can cause performance to drop by up to 2%. This reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight, thus affecting smaller vehicles more so than larger ones (It's already understood that big SUVs use less gas, right?).



• Just shut it off, already - Did you know that starting your vehicle uses less fuel than idling for ten seconds? In short, don't start the car before you are ready (Get in, buckle up, set the music, adjust mirrors, windows, wipers, lights, temperature, etc. first). Idling uses fuel but doesn't get you anywhere. City commuters can save by shutting down at stop lights too. Vehicles with larger engines are generally worse offenders than those with smaller engines.



• Use the automated features - Overdrive and Cruise Control cost more, right? Than get your money's worth. While using overdrive, your vehicle's rpm's (The engine's revolutions per minute) go down. This not only saves gas, but also reduces engine wear. Using cruise control on highways helps to maintain a constant speed and generally saves gas too (Never use cruise control in wet or windy conditions though).



• Inflate properly - Gas mileage can be improved by around three percent by keeping your tires properly inflated. Locate the psi listed on the tire wall, check the air pressure and adjust accordingly. Under-inflated tires can drop gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every one psi drop in pressure (Of all four tires). Properly inflated tires last longer and are safer due to surface contact area as well as even wear.



• Check air filters regularly - The engine appreciated fresh air too! Air filters prevent impurities from entering your engine and keep the fuel burning clean (Less CO2 emissions). Clogged filters can drop your mileage up to ten percent. Many newer vehicles have air filters for the interior as well. Be sure to ask if yours does and keep it clean for you and your passengers.



• Stay tuned - Vehicle repair when a car is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test improves the gas mileage by an average of 4 percent (Results vary based on the type and quality of repair). Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen (O2) sensor, can improve your performance by as much as 40 percent!



• Keep Cool - Roll the windows down before cranking up the air-conditioning. As soothing as it may be, it's a real drag on the engine and fuel economy.



• Pump gas, not iron - Whenever possible keep it cool at the pump too. Filling up in the morning will put more usable fuel into your tank. As the storage tanks warm up throughout the day, more vapors flow through the pumps. The same can be said for your tank. Try to refuel without dropping below half of a tank. This will slow the evaporation process. A steady hand that's not flexing to impress will help prevent silt from entering your tank. Patience does pay off the pump. When the pump is working at full force it creates more are pockets and stirs up the gunk at the bottom of the storage tanks (As does a tanker refill - avoid the station for the day and allow the new and old to settle their differences).