Does it seem like you're filling your gas tank more often lately? Are you seeing more of the gas station attendant than your family and friends? It may be time to check your vehicle for issues causing a drop in miles per gallon! Times are tough all around the country, and everyone is looking for a way to save a few dollars here and there in the monthly budget. Getting better gas mileage in your vehicle is an obvious starting point! Alignment Center and Alaska Car & Truck in Anchorage has a few small suggestions that could make a big difference.
Fixing a car that has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40%.
Tires that are not properly inflated add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. Tires can lose pressure due to seasonal temperature changes so pressure should be checked at least monthly, including the spare. (Check your manual for optimal pressure.) Do this regularly, and you’ll save 3.3 percent.
Misaligned tires drag instead of roll freely. Improper alignment can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 10% - about 31 cents per gallon. In addition, the tires can wear out more quickly. Tires that are out of balance (symptom: vibration in the steering wheel) can cause uneven tire wear, which can result in lower gas mileage. Tires should be balanced and rotated according to the vehicle's owner's manual to improve tire performance and fuel economy.
On carburetor equipped vehicles, replacing a dirty air filter on a vehicle operating under normal conditions may result in a 2%-6% increase in fuel economy. In some cases, replacing an air filter that has become clogged can result in an increase of fuel economy as much as 14%.
Replacing a dirty air filter on a fuel injected computer controlled engine does not improve fuel economy but can improve acceleration between 6% - 11%.
Approximately 17 percent of the vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year. Get yours checked, and when you fill up, avoid the urge to top off. It can release harmful vapors into the environment.
Having unnecessary weight in your vehicle wastes fuel, particularly during acceleration. If there is heavy stuff in your boot you don’t need, ditch it.
Losing 100 pounds (45 kg) will improve economy by around 2%. In fact the push to make cars lighter is playing a leading role in improving fuel economy in new cars.
Driving technique has a lot to do with your fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Jerky and aggressive driving decreases your miles per gallon (MPG) and increases wear and tear on your vehicle. Turn your car off instead of idling when you’ll be parked safely for more than 10 seconds. Also, drive wise and minimize unnecessary miles by doing errands in one trip, getting good directions and calling ahead.
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