10 Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency

1] Slow Down On The highway

Your car is optimized to drive at 40-60mph(80-100km/hr), when you drive 70-80+mph fuel efficiency drops by up to a whooping 33% . Yes 33% , that is not a typo. I had heard this before and thought it was an exaggeration, then I drove the new Chevrolet Cobalt which has a fuel efficiency gauge in it and I saw it first hand, what a surprise.

Is it worth speeding to save 5 minutes off your commute to work so you can just get held up in city traffic? Between the lost fuel efficiency, the extra wear and tear on the car driving beyond optimized speeds and inherent safety concerns I will need a good reason to start speeding on the highway from now on.

2] Cruise In The City

The same idea applies in city driving. Speeding up to make the next red light guzzles gas and is hard on your car. This can decrease fuel efficiency by 5%.

Why hurry up just to make the next red light? Let's face it, speeding in the city doesn't get you anywhere's faster. If you drive like a bat out of hell you might make an extra light or two and chop a mere 2-4 minutes off your commute assuming you make it there alive.

I drive at sane speeds throughout the city while most others fly by me and hard brake at the next red light, I then pull up beside them or even pass them as I may not of needed to stop as the lights are usually synchronized for sane driving speeds not surprisingly (it also takes more gas to get back up to speed than to maintain it). So have some fun watching people fly by you and seeing them at the next red light knowing your car is much better off.

3] Tire Pressure

Here's one everyone can do easily. It only takes a couple minutes to check your tires pressure. Under inflated tires can result in 3% less fuel efficiency.

4] Link Your Trips/Errands

Plan your trip to include as many destinations or errands as possible. Fewer trips means less cold starts, better fuel efficiency and less driving than multiple small trips.

5] Avoid Unnecessary Idling.

You're getting 0 mpg for this one. If you're going to wait 5-10 minutes for a friend give your car and wallet a break.

For those who live in colder climates this is a bigger issue. We all want our cars toasty warm in the winter time when we get inside. Today's cars really only needs 30 second of idling to warm up even in cold weather, then 1-2 minutes of driving to get it fully warmed up. So bundle up and save yourself a bundle.

6] Maintain Your Car

Inexpensive oil and air filter changes can boost your cars performance and increase your cars lifespan. A blocked air filter can decrease fuel efficiency by as much as 10% and a misfiring spark plug won't help either. So try to follow your cars service manual.. It beats dealing with an unexpected major repair and major inconvenience..

7] Monitor Your Fuel efficiency

I like to measure how many miles / KM I get on half a tank after filling it up. It's easier to measure this way as we don't let our gas tanks completely run dry and its impossible to estimate how much was left when you fill it up again.

You can see how your driving habits affect your fuel economy and if your habits haven't changed and you fuel economy drops off, then maybe its time for some car maintenance.

Purchasing a fuel consumption gauge (if you car doesn't already have one) can give you real time feedback and more accurate reading. This provides great instant feedback on driving habits.

8] Remove Unnecessary Items From Your Car

For each extra 100lbs you lose 1-2% fuel efficiency, so get the golf clubs out of the trunk until your next tee off time.

Leaving items on your roof rack also creates extra drag which makes your car work harder, so lock your mountain bikes up till the next trip.

9] Jack Rabbit Starts

Some people like to suddenly accelerate by putting their foot to the floor. This guzzles gas and gives marginal speed improvement to a gradual acceleration.

10] Back Off

Tail gating results in unnecessary breaking and accelerating. Hang back a little more and you can avoid the added stress and save some gas. It's also safer to drive this way, give yourself an extra second to avoid an accident !

About the Author:
Paul Fezziwig writes for and administers 'Green Cars Now', http://www.greencarsnow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and better driving habits.
Added: 04 Dec 2005
Article Source: http://articles.simplysearch4it.com/article/17828.html

Nine Secrets To Maintaining Your Car

Robert Sikorsky’s little book Drive It Forever offers invaluable tips to keep your car going the extra mile. His stellar advice could save you a year’s worth of car payments or more!

The smoother you drive, the longer your car will run. Stopping and starting, fast lane changes, scratching off all lead to shorter life for your car.

Naturally, you can’t drive at all without stopping and starting. But your goal is to keep moving smoothly any time that you can. Does it look like a stoplight is about to turn green? Then slow down and if possible, gently keep moving until the light changes.

Less engine idle means less engine wear, says Sikorsky. If you have to idle longer than 30 seconds, you may as well turn the engine off and start it when you’re ready to roll. So turn off the car if you’re waiting in parking lots, waiting on others to ready themselves for travel, if you have to go back in the house for something, etc.

And never rev up the car while it’s not moving.

If you’re driving in “bumper to bumper” barely moving traffic, it’s wise to turn your air conditioner off. This saves a lot of wear on your car. The engine has to work overtime if the air is on and you’re stopping and starting frequently.

You’ve probably heard that it’s good to take your car out periodically for a good drive on the highway now and again, and that’s good advice. This allows your engine to get fully warmed up and helps get rid of some deposits built up by short trips.

If it’s below freezing, try not to take your car out on short trips of less than five miles. Sikorsky says this is one of the worst possible conditions for your car.

Don’t cruise around a parking lot forever, trying to find a spot. Go ahead and park further away and get in a little exercise.

Avoid accelerating suddenly unless there’s an emergency situation. Putting the pedal to the metal may get you someplace today, but tomorrow you may end up hitching a ride from a neighbor.

If possible, don’t park your car headed uphill. When you’re ready to start it later, the engine will have to use extra power to pull itself. It’s better to park headed downhill than uphill.

Driving on dusty roads cuts your gas mileage considerably as well as adds to engine wear.

I’ve found Drive It Forever a valuable read! It’s personal, and easy to read, even if you’re mechanically challenged.

About the Author:
Steve Wilcott
This article provided courtesy of http://www.car-leasing-guide.com
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Summer car care: get your vehicle in shape for warm weather

AS the weather heats up, travelers and vacationers will surely take to the open road to enjoy some fun in the sun. But before packing up the car for that long road trip, beach outing, or a possible overnight drive to the nearest nature preserve, owners should tune up their vehicles, especially after the wear and tear of winter.

Even if you think your car is in good shape, it's best to make some routine checks to make sure you reach your destination hassle-free. In addition to and following the recommended checks on these pages, experts advise drivers to visit their mechanic a week or two before their trip to avoid roadside emergencies.

Start by washing your vehicle to remove dirt buildup from the winter. This gives drivers the opportunity to inspect the paint for nicks and scrapes. Wash dirt and grime from your wheel wells to avoid rusting. Clean the windshield and check for cracks (some chips can be repaired without replacing the windshield). This is important because dirty and cracked windshields can contribute to eye fatigue, says Nicole Niemi, a spokeswoman for AAA in Chicago. Replace worn wiper blades and refill windshield washer solvent.

This is also a good time to inspect brake lights, turn signals and high beams. (There's nothing fun about driving at night with one headlight.) Don't forget to give your vehicle a good waxing, which will give it some sheen and help protect the paint.

* CHECK BATTERIES Batteries can fail at any time of the year. Although drivers tend to think they fail more often in the winter, they can also fail in the summer. A professional technician can maintain routine battery care, like scraping away corrosion and tightening connections.

* INSPECTED FLUID LEVELS: Have your oil and filters changed by a professional before leaving home. Oil should be changed every 3,000 miles or every 3 months, but check your owner's manual because intervals vary for engines in newer vehicles. Refill transmission, power-steering and brake fluid. Avoid overfilling reservoirs.

Be sure to check coolant levels. One of the greatest causes of summer breakdowns is overheating, says Niemi of AAA. The system should be flushed and refilled at least every two years. Most drivers think that antifreeze is only necessary during the winter, but it prevents your car from overheating in the summer months, too. The levels need to be maintained year-round. A 50-50 solution of water and antifreeze is usually recommended, but it's best to refer to your manual.

*EXAMINE FILTERS, BELTS AND HOSES: Belts and hoses endure a lot of wear and tear during the winter. When the engine is off and it cools, look for worn or cracked belts and damaged, blistered, or soft hoses.

Replace cracked and torn belts. Also tighten any loose belts. Follow the same routine when inspecting hoses, including tightening any loose clamps. In newer vehicles, some of these checks will have to be performed by an authorized mechanic or taken to a dealer.

* COOLING SYSTEM: A marginally operating air-conditioning system can fail in hot weather. AAA recommends having the system examined by a qualified technician, who will inspect and adjust drive belts and check for cold stream air from outlets.

* TIRES: Outdoor temperatures can affect tire pressure. Going from extreme cold to warm weather can definitely have an effect on tire pressure. Use a gauge to check the pressure of your tires. Don't forget to check the spare, too! Proper tire pressure maximizes gas mileage and prevents some wear and tear on your tires.

*EMERGENCIES: Drivers should always prepare for emergencies. AAA recommends that motorists always carry an emergency kit in their vehicles. The kit should be stocked with a flashlight and extra batteries, jumper cables, warning devices such as flares or reflective triangles, a first-aid kit and a cellular phone.

About the Author:
COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group
Article Source: www.findarticles.com
Publishing: May, 2005