Call it penny-wise and pound foolish.
The same drivers who strive to save a few dollars on their gasoline purchase won't spend a dime to keep their vehicles properly maintained.
The result is not pretty.
Routine maintenance can add three to seven miles per gallon for most drivers. That kind of increase more than pays for the maintenance, and might save you enough to take more pleasant trips.
Is your car grinding away before it turns over? If so, you're sacrificing mileage.
Are your air filters filthy? If so, your car has to work harder, and draws more gasoline.
Hitting all the recommended maintenance on your car, including a tune-up at the appropriate time, can more than pay for itself in gasoline savings when the prices soar.
So-called discount clubs also offer very low prices to their members. You must weigh whether or not joining will save you enough money in other areas, but if so, you'll probably save money on gasoline, too.
Speaking of hydroplaning, be certain you have good tires and that they're mounted and balanced properly.
Improper tire pressure (usually under-inflation) is the number one reason many people fall short of their mileage potential. The great thing about this is that it costs virtually nothing to fix. Buy a air pressure gauge and check the pressure at every fill-up. Make sure you hit the recommended pressure.
Keeping the oil changed on a timely basis will help, but so will watching the kind of oil you use. Generally, the lower the viscocity, the better the chance for mileage improvement. Low viscocity oils like 5W30 are generally acceptable for newer vehicles, but always check your owners manual to be certain.
Turning off the A/C and opening the windows on high-speed trips will create more drag on the car, requiring more energy from the engine. Exception: if your air conditioning system is ailing, shut it down and depend on the ventilation system if it's not too hot.
There are driving habits that will help once the car leaves the mechanic's bay.
Cruise control use is one of them. Steady speed on the open highway helps an engine work more efficiently. One note: don't use cruise control in the rain or when the pavement is wet. The combination of cruise control and hydroplaning can be fatal.
This one won't go over too well with many readers, but it's worth consideration.
Any vehicle is going to operate more efficiently at 55 miles per hour than at 70 mph.
Lead foots, listen up: You save five miles per gallon at 55 instead of 70.
Optimum mileage is attained between 35-55 mph.
Naturally, much depends upon the vehicle you choose to drive. Take these tips step-by-step and find out just how much you can save. Click "next" to learn more about trimming consumption.
