The way you drive and take care of your car can make a huge difference in how much gas it consumes. Here are some wise tips on maximizing fuel efficiency, while saving and helping reduce pollution:
Keep your car well-tuned.
Simple regular maintenance, such as oil change, air and oil filter replacement and spark plug change, not just lengthen the life of your vehicle, but also minimize emissions and improve fuel economy. Just follow these tasks’ schedules in the manual.
Ensure your tires are properly aligned and inflated all the time.
If your tires are properly aligned and inflated, the amount of drag your car’s engine must overcome while you are driving is reduced. Better yet, you can opt for low-rolling resistance tires that reduce drag by up to 10 percent, improving your gas mileage. If you have just bought a new vehicle, you do not need to worry, as these are already built in.
Be always conscious of weight.
Avoid carrying around items that you don’t need. Remember that for every 45 kilos of weight in your car, its fuel economy decreases by 1 to 2 percent. You can also reduce drag by placing bulky items inside your car or trunk, instead of on its roof rack.
Drive moderately.
A go signal does not mean the start of a race. Put in mind that jack-rabbit starts and high-speed driving can increase both fuel consumption and emissions. Going 65 mph on the highway, instead of 75, can save you fuel of up to 20 percent, and making more gradual stops and starts can even bring more savings.
Aside from these tips, you should also advocate for better transportation policies. By doing so, and with some private sector innovations, cars and driving can be more fuel-efficient.
