Car Fuel Economy Facts That Can Save You Money
If you've followed car fuel economy ratings over the years, an unusual trend seems to be happening. While researchers and auto designers continue to find ways to improve mileage, the ratings don't seem to be as good as they were 20 years ago. Why is this?
The US government agency known as the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has created stricter standards for reporting estimated gas mileage for the various models of newer cars. The new ratings take into account more of the variables that affect the actual economy you get. For instance, winter driving, aggressive driving, or running the air conditioner can cause a car to perform less efficiently than the old ratings would lead you to believe. The new methods are more realistic.
But, the point has been raised that how you drive can improve your fuel efficiency. How you maintain your car affects its fuel costs as well. Knowing all you can about how to get the best mileage just makes sense in this day and age of high prices.
Getting the best car fuel economy first depends on the type of vehicle you drive. If you can be content with an efficient small car that has 5-speed manual transmission, you are well on your way to saving money on gasoline. On the other hand, if you can afford one of the new hybrid automobiles, you can save even more without sacrificing comfort and style. There are several websites available that make it possible for you to compare the estimated gas mileage of many different models of vehicle. Taking the time to find out the facts is the first step to choosing an efficient car, pickup, or minivan. Did you know that if you drive only a modest 15,000 miles a year, and most of us do, you can save $775 during that year simply by driving a car that gets 30 mpg instead of one that gets 20 mpg. Once you've chosen that great vehicle, remember to be thoughtful about combining trips. In other words, make a list of all the errands you need to do, and make your stops in the order they are located. Don't drive back and forth across town needlessly, and limit recreational driving. Aggressive driving is hard on your car and burns needless gas. Signs that you might be a bit too aggressive as a driver are taking off quickly and speeding. In fact, if you can be happy driving 55 mph, even on the highway where it's legal to go faster, you will save a lot of money on gasoline. Plan ahead to take a little more time, and enjoy the leisurely pace. You might just save a life while your at it, too. Finally, take good care of that vehicle. Simply replacing the air filters when they are dirty can improve your fuel efficiency by 10 percent. That amounts to saving 30 cents on each gallon of gas! Have a regular tune-up, too, because a well tuned engine gets at least 4% better mileage, and sometimes a lot more.
Privacy Policy
| 
