5 Tips to Get Better Gas Mileage

If you can, look elsewhere, but if you are like most people, please read on.

With the traveling season upon us and the prospect of trips and outings looming on the horizon, now is the perfect time to make sure that you are getting the best gas mileage possible from your vehicle.

Here are 5 tips that may help you to get better gas mileage from your vehicle.

What can I do to get better gas mileage?

Tires properly inflated.

One of the first and also easiest things to do to get better gas mileage is to make sure that your tires are inflated properly. This is important because under inflated tires can rob you of as much as 3% of your gas mileage.

Clean or replace air filter.

Another very important and easy gas mileage improvement is to service and clean or replace your air filter. Why this is important is because if your air filter is dirty you could be loosing up to 10% of your gas mileage. A good rule of thumb, under normal driving conditions, is to replace your air filter every other oil change.

Use recommended oil and oil change intervals.

One thing that may not only help your improve your gas mileage but extend the life of your engine as well is to use the proper grade oil and to use the recommended oil change intervals. Improper, dirty, used oil can make you loose as much as 1% to 2% of your gas mileage.

Unnecessary weight.

Cutting down on unnecessary weight in your can is another easy and quick way to help improve your gas mileage. Having 100 extra pounds in your vehicle can cut your gas mileage by 2%.

Practice calm driving habits.

One sure fire way to improve your gas mileage is to be a calmer driver. Aggressive driving, which is excessive acceleration, speeding, and things of that nature, can cause you to loose up to an astounding 33% on the highway and 5% in town. Remaining calm and practicing smooth driving can have a dramatic effect on your gas mileage.

*Bonus tip.

If you have an older car that you purchased used, have a mechanic check to see that you have the correct temperature thermostat installed. Engine designers and manufacturers design engines to operate at their best performance while in certain temperature ranges.

Everyone wants to save money and these tips may help you to do just that. If you heed these tips while you are planning your next trip, don't for get to plan on also getting better gas mileage!

Sources: Federal trade commission website,http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt064.shtm
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drivehabits.shtml