The
surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to
change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories
are 30 effective methods of doing so ... no need to buy
expensive add-on equipment
ENGINE WARM-UP
Avoid
prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings
- 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.
Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine
warm up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad
gas/air mixture.
Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your
engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent
to when you start the engine.
Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just
before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly
and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls,
owing to loss of oil pressure.
Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when
starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more
than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor
to function at peak efficiency.
HOW TO BUY GASOLINE
Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning
or late evening is best. During these times gasoline
is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes
of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You
are charged according to "volume of measurement".
Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain
brands provide you with greater economy because of better
quality. Use the brands which "seem" most
beneficial.
Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in
sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past
the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle
is automatic.
HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY
Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous
wind resistance.
Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set
for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency
also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21%
better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits
of 65 mph and 70 mph.
BUY NOW
Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up
to 45% more fuel than is needed.
Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest
gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas
if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause
the engine to "bog down", premature wearing
of engine parts occurs.
Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds.
Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by
10 percent.
Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel.
Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is
unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects
your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.
Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate,
do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on
it.
GENERAL ADVICE
Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving.
The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag"
on components, wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging"
also demands additional fuel usage.
Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or
gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.
Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter.
Compare traveling distance differences - remember that
corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas.
The shortest distance between two points is always straight.
Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage.
By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost
your chances of having the "green light" all
the way.
Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down
when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad
crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into
neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and
allows transmission to cool.
Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward
gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.
Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's
manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special
attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters...
diminished air flow increases gas waste.
Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional
misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken
springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high
traveling speeds.
Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling
on deep tire tread really robs fuel!
Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should
be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round.
When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires
for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers;
check manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire
pressures.
Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces
disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body.
Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof
helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).
Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10%
to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase
engine load; the more load on your engine, the less
miles per gallon.
Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra
tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight
reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.
Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all
riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to
keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic
congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability
and greater "steady speed" economy. For best
results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout
car.
During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car
frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved
snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm
water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.
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