Don't you get sick of having to stop and top off your tank every couple of days just because of your morning commute? Today's hybrids are saving people big bucks at the gas pump by all but doubling their gas mileage, but for those of us still driving around depending on fossil fuels the expense is a little bit higher. Fortunately, there are some simple strategies that anyone can use to improve their gas mileage-no matter what type of car they're driving.
First and foremost, think of your car like an athlete. When an athlete's in good shape and their body is able to function at its peak they're going to be able to accomplish their usual daily tasks while expending a minimum of energy. If you want your car to operate with that same efficiency you're going to have to make sure you keep it in good working order. Regular tune-ups and oil changes, clean air filters and properly inflated tires will go a long way toward paving the road toward better gas mileage.
Secondly, take a look at your driving habits. Do you tend to drive too quickly? Let your car idle in your driveway while you run back inside for your cell phone? Spend too much time in rush hour traffic? Your driving habits have more of an impact on your gas mileage than you might think!
The secret to better gas mileage when you're on the road is to slow down and try to drive at a continuous speed. It takes more energy to speed up and slow down than it does to maintain a steady pace, which means you're wasting gas every time you get caught in stop and go traffic. Driving over 55 mph will also burn through your gas supply more quickly, and idling wastes gas that you could be putting to better use someplace else.
Whenever possible, avoid the temptation to take advantage of the climate control in your car. Running your air conditioner uses more gas than driving with the windows down (as you're undoubtedly aware if you live in the south where summer starts in April and burns straight through to September), and leaving your car idling while waiting for the heater to warm up the inside or the AC to cool things down before you get on the road puts a dent in your tank without ever setting a single tire on the road.
Finally, consider making your next car a hybrid. Yes, you can get better gas mileage using the techniques described above, but you may never come close to the mileage offered by a hybrid through its blend of electric and gas powered energy. (The Toyota Prius has been known to get more than 40 miles to the gallon on occasion.) While the initial investment in these cars is higher than the cost to buy a regular, fossil fuel powered vehicle you'll more than recover your investment when you consider what you're going to save in the long term at the gas pump.
Showing posts with label automotive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label automotive. Show all posts
Get The Most Out Of Your Vehicle
Label:
automotive
Our vehicles represent large investments in our life. For this reason, we want to maintain them as well as possible and get the most out of them. So what can you do to get the most out of your car?
1. How is the Oil? - The lifeblood of an engine is its oil. Oil lubricates vital engine parts. Even the most mechanically challenged drivers know to change a car’s oil and oil filter on a regular basis — even if they don’t always do it. Oil changes every 3,000-7,500 miles or every 3-4 months is essential for keeping your engine in good shape. Over time, oil loses its viscosity and also it's lubricating additives, which help keep your engine from excessive wear. Oil is not free of contaminants over time, your car's engine builds up carbon deposits, dirt, and even water can build up in your engine over time.
2. Keep Your Engine Cool - A cars engine generates enough heat to destroy itself. The cooling system protects against damage keeping the engine operating within the correct temperature range. Maintaining your car’s cooling system and the proper coolant level is as important as making sure the engine is well lubed and can potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
3. Transmission Fluid and Filters - This is one of the most neglected fluids in our cars. Transmission fluid protects the 2nd most expensive mechanical feature in our car, protect it like your engine. Automatic transmission fluid should be changed around every 30,000-40,000 miles. If you live in a hilly area or where you are constantly driving in heavy traffic, you might even change it more often. Just like motor oil, you should check your Automatic/manual transmission lubricants often. Low or even too much transmission fluid can cause transmission failure, premature wear, and rough shifting.
4. Protect Your Car’s Body – Car’s rust and wear out of not protected. Store your car in a garage or under a carport or cover. Keep your car out of the sun if possible or cover it to keep off bird droppings and tree sap. During the winter months, salt, sand and road grime can severely damage the finish of a vehicle. Another concern is more than one-third of car owners use non-automotive products when washing their cars, which can cause considerable damage and lead to costly repairs. Washing and polishing a car with quality cleaners and waxes goes a long way toward protecting the vehicle’s exterior. Keeping your car’s body maintained will not only make it last longer but also will make it much more pleasant to drive.
5. Watch Your Tire’s Pressure - A very important, and often neglected, maintenance area on your vehicle is your tires. Proper tire inflation is a key ingredient in driving safety and long tire life. It is wise to check your tire's inflation at least once a month with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Continuous loss of inflation pressure is an indication of a possible tire/wheel assembly problem; consult your tire professional immediately if you encounter this situation. Be sure to check the pressure while the tires are cold, and have not been used recently. When temperatures rise, the air inside the tire expands. This can mean you are driving on over inflated tires -- ultimately resulting in premature tread wear. Tire tread is crucial during emergency situations; a quarter inch of tread depth could affect your stopping distance by 180 feet. Improper or neglected maintenance of tires and wheels can cause extensive damage and lead to pricey repairs.
1. How is the Oil? - The lifeblood of an engine is its oil. Oil lubricates vital engine parts. Even the most mechanically challenged drivers know to change a car’s oil and oil filter on a regular basis — even if they don’t always do it. Oil changes every 3,000-7,500 miles or every 3-4 months is essential for keeping your engine in good shape. Over time, oil loses its viscosity and also it's lubricating additives, which help keep your engine from excessive wear. Oil is not free of contaminants over time, your car's engine builds up carbon deposits, dirt, and even water can build up in your engine over time.
2. Keep Your Engine Cool - A cars engine generates enough heat to destroy itself. The cooling system protects against damage keeping the engine operating within the correct temperature range. Maintaining your car’s cooling system and the proper coolant level is as important as making sure the engine is well lubed and can potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
3. Transmission Fluid and Filters - This is one of the most neglected fluids in our cars. Transmission fluid protects the 2nd most expensive mechanical feature in our car, protect it like your engine. Automatic transmission fluid should be changed around every 30,000-40,000 miles. If you live in a hilly area or where you are constantly driving in heavy traffic, you might even change it more often. Just like motor oil, you should check your Automatic/manual transmission lubricants often. Low or even too much transmission fluid can cause transmission failure, premature wear, and rough shifting.
4. Protect Your Car’s Body – Car’s rust and wear out of not protected. Store your car in a garage or under a carport or cover. Keep your car out of the sun if possible or cover it to keep off bird droppings and tree sap. During the winter months, salt, sand and road grime can severely damage the finish of a vehicle. Another concern is more than one-third of car owners use non-automotive products when washing their cars, which can cause considerable damage and lead to costly repairs. Washing and polishing a car with quality cleaners and waxes goes a long way toward protecting the vehicle’s exterior. Keeping your car’s body maintained will not only make it last longer but also will make it much more pleasant to drive.
5. Watch Your Tire’s Pressure - A very important, and often neglected, maintenance area on your vehicle is your tires. Proper tire inflation is a key ingredient in driving safety and long tire life. It is wise to check your tire's inflation at least once a month with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Continuous loss of inflation pressure is an indication of a possible tire/wheel assembly problem; consult your tire professional immediately if you encounter this situation. Be sure to check the pressure while the tires are cold, and have not been used recently. When temperatures rise, the air inside the tire expands. This can mean you are driving on over inflated tires -- ultimately resulting in premature tread wear. Tire tread is crucial during emergency situations; a quarter inch of tread depth could affect your stopping distance by 180 feet. Improper or neglected maintenance of tires and wheels can cause extensive damage and lead to pricey repairs.
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