How to Increase Gas Milage in a Pick Up

Regardless of the price of gas, you can always save money by getting better gas mileage and you can lessen your impact on the environment. Many of the things you can do to increase mileage in a car work for a truck as well but there are a few extra concerns you should consider for a pick up. For those people that are obsessed with getting better gas mileage there is a group of techniques referred to as hypermiling. Hypermiling may be considered dangerous or just extreme but a lot of the principles in hypermiling can be applied to make for some simple and safe gas mileage increases.

Instructions

1. Watch your weight. Don't carry stuff inside your truck or especially in the cargo area if you don't really need it. Don't install a toolbox just to have one because the added weight will decrease your gas mileage. If you must have a toolbox than take out any extra tools you don't need. Make sure the back of the truck is empty of everything including ice or rainwater before you start your truck. When you do carry loads in your truck keep them as close to the front as safely as you can to avoid drag.

2. Avoid stopping. Follow all the safety procedures to stop when you must to be safe or to follow the law but otherwise avoid stopping as much as possible. If one way to your destination has less traffic lights or traffic, though it might be longer miles-wise, it may give you so much better efficiency that it saves you money.

3. Use the environment to your advantage. Don't drive when it's very windy as this will be harder on your truck to drive against the added force of the wind. When it's snowing on the road, drive through the tracks on the road ahead of you. Don't do off-road driving unless you must. Drive on paved roads instead of dirt or gravel roads if possible. A cold engine is less efficient so try to drive during warmer parts of the day or on warmer days if it's cold. If at all possible avoid driving in bad weather.

4. Don't use anything extra. Using accessories or other power consuming devices in your truck will also pull down your mileage. The biggest offender is the air conditioner. However, anything that uses energy will decrease your mileage so turn off and don't use anything you don't need.

5. Drive smartly. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. Use the cruise control on flat roads when there isn't much traffic. Don't use the cruise control on hilly or graded areas. Pull through parking spaces if possible to avoid using reverse when leaving or entering the parking spot. Avoid towing as much as you can.

6. Drive slower and avoid idling. Don't speed to get somewhere; leave early enough that you don't have to rush. Don't go faster than the speed limit. Avoid idling by not starting your truck until you're ready to go and turning off your truck when you really don't need it on. Avoid stop and go traffic and don't use the drive-thru.