How Vehicle Emissions Affects Gas Mileage

Emissions and Fuel Economy

Fuel economy involves the attempt to increase the fuel efficiency of a vehicle by reducing the amount of gasoline required to power the vehicle. This is usually measured in miles per gallon (MPG). Therefore fuel economy involves improving your vehicle's mileage. Several factors influence your car's mileage including emissions. When a car is operating at its best, it requires less gasoline to work, and therefore produces fewer emissions. Conversely a car that is out of tune and not properly maintained produces more emissions, which further clog up the car's emission control system, works much harder, burns more gasoline, has poorer fuel economy and therefore lower gas mileage.

Improving your Gas Mileage

There are several things you can do to improve your gas mileage. One of them is to ensure that your car undergoes the manufacturer recommended scheduled maintenance. In addition if you avoid idling and check that your tires are properly inflated you can improve your car's fuel economy. Also maintain the proper driving speed and stay within the speed limit because excessive accelerating and decelerating burns more fuel and increases the emissions your car produces. Do not carry unnecessary weight in your car as this makes your vehicle work that much harder, requiring more fuel.

Some companies have developed devices that, when retrofitted into cars, help reduce a vehicle's emissions and therefore improve a car's gas mileage. One such product is Sabertec's "Blade," which is a filter that the manufacturer claims when fitted into your car's tailpipe can cut CO2 emissions by 12 percent and increase fuel efficiency by the same amount (see Resources). Make sure to check that the device will not interfere with the normal functioning of your car before you install one.

Resources

• Check the Fuel Economy of any Vehicle
• Fuel Economy and Motor Vehicle Emissions: A Scientific Study
• Blade Your Ride