Simple Ways to Conserve Energy in Your Car...
From properly inflated tires to slowing down on the freeway, there are many ways to get better fuel economy out of your car. Before you and your family take to the roads this summer, follow these 10 fuel saving tips to help you go farther before needing a refill.
#1 Slow Down
Aerodynamic drag forces an engine to work harder and use more fuel. Simply decreasing your freeway speeds to 55 mph can increase your fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.
#2 Jackrabbit Starts
Quick accelerations might get you off the line faster, but it will get you empty faster too; lowering gas mileage by as much as 33 percent. Engines require the most fuel when accelerating from a full stop, so apply the gas moderately. And oh yeah, hard braking is equally bad for fuel economy!
#3 Trip Planning
If you're going out for an errand run, plan all of your stops ahead of time to avoid unnecessary driving. And try not to drive during rush hour; the constant starting, stopping and idling hurts fuel economy.
#4 Car Pooling
Consider joining a car pool.
#5 Air Conditioning
The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as two miles per gallon under certain speeds and operating conditions.
#6 Tune Ups
You depend on your car every day, and your car depends on you. Visit your trusted service mechanic for regular tune ups. Not only can it help your car last longer, but it can also help you get better fuel economy.
#7 Check Your Tires
Not only are under-inflated tires dangerous, but they can reduce your fuel economy by up to 3 percent. So keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure.
#8 Empty Your Trunk
Does your trunk double as a mobile storage facility? All that extra weight requires extra power and extra fuel from your engine. For every 100 pounds, fuel economy is reduced by up to 2 percent, especially if you drive a smaller, lighter car.
#9 Reduce the Revs
Driving in gears which rev the engine wastes fuel. With automatic transmissions, let the computer determine the proper gear. In manuals, choose the gear with the lowest rpm which doesn't risk stalling or "lugging" the engine.
#10 Avoid the Idle
Unnecessary idling is one of the most common ways of wasting fuel - you get 0 mpg. What about "warming up" the engine? In most climates, modern fuel injected cars don't require warming up. If you're not moving or about to move, turn off the engine.