Everyone loves to drive on the open road. Motorized vehicles of any kind, but especially cars and trucks are a joy to drive. Unfortunately, not all of them get good gas mileage. Ask the average person how to improve your mileage and you're likely to be told to buy a more fuel efficient model. For some of us, this simply isn't an option due to certain circumstances.
Maybe we can't afford a new model, or maybe we just like the one we have. Regardless there are ways to improve your vehicles fuel economy without investing a lot of money. The first thing you can do to save money is to alter your driving style. This often means driving slower, but it does conserve gas.
Essentially you want to drive your car around 55 MPH where applicable. This does not mean drive 55 in a 35 zone. It means that on the highway instead of driving 65, or 75 in some cases, get in the slow lane and do 55. While it will take you a bit longer to reach your destination, your car's engine will use less fuel.
Using less fuel means you can go further, and need less at the next filling station. Other driving habits that can increase your vehicles fuel mileage include stopping slowly, and accelerating slowly. There's no reason to have a lead foot for both petals all the time. Of course, maintenance also plays a huge role in your gas mileage.
Make sure your tires are inflated to the proper PSI before driving. This will ensure the tires perform their best, last their longest, and get you the best mileage. This may not seem like it would affect your fuel economy but remember your tires are your cars link to the road. If they are under inflated, over inflated, or just in bad condition it will reduce your gas mileage. It's also important to make sure they are rotated, and aligned at regular intervals.
Making sure your vehicles engine is properly tuned up is also important. Oil changes, spark plug replacement, fluid checking, and belt inspection are all important to keeping your engine running good. The better your engine runs the better gas mileage it will get. Keeping your car washed can also help, believe it or not.
Modern cars are more aerodynamic and dirt and crud on the vehicle can interfere with this slightly. Filthy cars may lose 1 or 2 mpg, but that's still gas mileage lost. Keeping it clean will ensure this doesn't happen to you, and will make it look good as well. Older vehicles won't have this problem as much due to their design. Not that they aren't aerodynamic but they just weren't as dependant on it as modern designs are.
After you've done all of this, if you still wish to improve your vehicle's fuel economy, there are some options. You can use custom parts that improve fuel efficiency, or install custom air filters. These filters are designed to let a certain amount of airflow into yourcar in addition to filtering it. This results in better combustion of gas, which in turn results in better efficiency
Another option you have available is to modify your car's engine into a hybrid system. For people that love their machines this option is a good compromise. Essentially, you take the engine out and upgrade it. After doing this you install an electric motor system to work in tandem with the combustion engine. This process effectively turns the engine into a hybrid motor.
Your vehicles outward appearance will still be the same, but inside you will have a much cleaner, efficient motor. This is a very pricey procedure to undertake though and should only be done if you really love your machine. For the enthusiast among us it is a lifesaver. In most cases this procedure will double your engine's fuel economy.
So if you want to get the best mileage out of your motor remember to keep it tuned up, and take good care of your tires. Always practice safe driving techniques when getting behind the wheel, and never drive drunk. Remember to buckle up and obey all traffic laws regardless of what country you live in. Also, keep in mind that going slow to save a few MPG will save you a lot of money on gas.
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