How to Improve Gas Milage

Gas mileage refers to the distance, measured in miles, that a vehicle can travel on a liter or gallon of fuel. An improvement in gas mileage is something many motorists look for, because such an improvement would automatically translate into a reduction in fuel costs, which make a huge component of the total motoring costs. But even for those to whom money is not an issue, an improvement in gas mileage would be an opportunity to contribute in a small way in checking the imminent energy crisis facing the world if people continue using gas at the rates currently being used.

Instructions

1. Maintain proper tire pressure. It takes more energy for the car's engine to turn improperly inflated tires and this is ultimately reflected in the vehicle's gas mileage.

2. Drive properly. Driving properly, as used in this context, encompasses a wide range of measures from maintaining a moderate cruising speed (an average of 55 miles per hour on highways is recommended), to avoiding too rapid accelerations and sudden braking. It also includes avoiding routes that are likely to have heavy traffic, causing the lengthy stops in which you have to keep your engine running and which inevitably wreck havoc on your average gas mileage, especially if traveling in such traffic becomes a daily occurrence.

3. Limit (and whenever possible eliminate) the use of accessories that you can do without, reducing the unnecessary strain on your vehicle's fuel consumption. Permanently pulling a trailer (even when you don't need one), keeping air conditioning on (even when opening the window could do the trick) and perpetually carrying a luggage rack on your car's top that you never use are examples of things that consume your fuel while not serving any useful purpose. Moreover, something like perpetually carrying a luggage rack decreases your car's aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in considerable gas wastage that you don't even notice.

4. Take good care of your car's engine. Things to do with the car's engine that have a bearing on fuel consumption include the quality of engine oil you use (use a high quality oil, ideally one with friction reducing additives), the fuel ratio your carburetor or direct injection mechanism feeds to your engine (keep the carburetor properly tuned if you use one) and so on. Taking good care of your car's engine can perhaps have the greatest impact in terms of improving your gas mileage.

5. Compare your gas mileage statistics with other people using similar vehicles to see how you are faring. Going by the statistics given by vendors for brand new vehicles might be misleading. You could be doing very well (or very poorly) in terms of gas mileage without even knowing it.