Fuel for Thought

Why a gas crisis is your opportunity to drive smarter.

Another summer, another spike in the price of gas. Some things never change, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. This year, squeeze the most out of every gallon by changing the way you drive and the way you care for your car and see how it impacts your bottom line.

 

There’s more to fuel efficiency than EPA ratings. In fact, the fuel economy of your vehicle stretches far beyond its make, model and engine. The way you drive and maintain it has serious impacts on your real-world miles per gallon. In essence, while it’s great to drive a vehicle rated at 30 mpg or more, chances are you may never approach those figures unless you think smart, drive smart and stay smart over the life of your car.

 

What does that mean? It’s simple. Start by thinking smart, or in other words, using common sense. Before your vehicle even leaves the driveway, consider how much fuel (and money) you could be wasting by overlooking a few common mistakes.

 

Is your vehicle carrying any excess weight? Every 100 pounds can impact fuel economy by one to two percent, so be sure to clean out your trunk and cabin of all unnecessary weight before driving. Do you tend to leave your car running for long periods of time without driving it? Though it may seem simple, an idling car has an EPA efficiency rating of 0 mpg. Are you using the right grade of fuel? Don’t pay for a more expensive grade of gasoline if your vehicle doesn’t require it (check your owner’s manual or ask your dealer if you’re unsure of what grade to use). When was the last time you checked your tire pressure? Underinflated tires could be decreasing your fuel economy by up to 10 percent, so keep a close eye on the tires. Even if they don’t appear low, check them and consult your owner’s manual or the driver’s side doorjamb for proper inflation levels.

 

Next, when you do hit the road, it’s more important than ever to be conscious of the way you drive. Even the most fuel-efficient cars in the world will burn through gasoline when driven too fast and too aggressively. Quick acceleration, hard braking and high-speed driving are not-so-secret fuel economy killers and could be costing you big. In fact, the fuel efficiency of most vehicles steadily declines at about 60 mph and higher.

 

Combat this by driving smarter. Ease off the gas when it’s not an emergency. Don’t drop the accelerator to the floor at every green light or brake hard and heavy at every red light. You’ll be surprised how simple, conservative driving can have a serious impact on your fuel gauge and your vehicle’s longevity. After all, obeying the speed limit is good for everyone anyway, right?

 

To maintain that longevity, it’s important to stay smart over the life of your car. That means routine service of some often overlooked and underappreciated systems and components. As a complex array of thousands of moving, integrated parts, it’s only natural for fluids, belts, hoses and various bits and pieces to wear out or require replacement every now and again. The stifling heat of summer is the perfect (or not-so-perfect) time for some of these components to give way, not only impacting your fuel economy, but possibly even damaging your car.

 

That said, while cooling and electrical systems tend to attract the most attention, fresh air filters, spark plugs and motor oil can not only keep your car running strong, but also help you stretch every gallon of gas. Be sure to bring your vehicle in for periodic, routine service to ensure that everything works precisely as it should.

 

You can’t control the price of gas, but you can certainly control how you use it. A little common sense, restraint and routine service can pay serious dividends at the pump. Change the way you drive, change the way you service and you can change your monthly gas bills.

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