Are gas prices draining your wallet? With the increase in prices at the pump, many Americans are struggling to keep their gas tanks full. With that being said, consumers are looking for ways to improve their gas milage as well as save money at the pump. Getting better gas mileage does not necessarily mean buying higher end fuel or switching to an electric vehicle. There are many ways to improve gas mileage and reduce your fuel costs. Here, Doug Yates Towing & Recovery discusses ways when the gasoline prices go up and you need to conserve as much of the savings as possible.
Reduce Excessive Accelerating & Braking
Have you ever been late for work and drive like crazy to get to work on time? Well the excessive acceleration and braking can actually use more fuel then you intend to. As well as speeding to work, sitting in traffic can also cause you to burn excess fuel. The frequent braking and rapid acceleration can be detrimental to your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If you want to improve your fuel efficiency, it is recommended that you drive more efficiently, avoid idling for more than a few minutes, and use cruise control whenever possible.
Don’t Neglect Vehicle Maintenance
You can cut fuel gauge costs as well as increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle with preventive maintenance. Keeping up with vehicle maintenance will help you identify the gas guzzling problems on time and fix them before they become worse. Apart from this, you should also use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil as it can improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and gas mileage by 1-2%.
Engines with dirty or clogged air filters work harder than engines with clean air filters. So, it is highly recommended that you change the air filter so that your vehicle’s engine operates much more efficiently, and you get better gas mileage.
Properly Inflate Your Tires
Under-inflated tires tend to decrease mileage. According to the EPA, tires inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure can improve gas mileage by 0.6% on average and up to 3% in some cases. Every pound-per-square-inch decline in pressure below the recommended level equates to a 0.2% drop in fuel efficiency. You can find your vehicle’s recommended pressure in the owner’s manual.al.
Lose The Extra Weight
The heavier the vehicle, the harder it is to roll. Heavy vehicles require more gas as they make the engine work harder. So, you should check what you carry inside your trunk and vehicle. Dropping the excess weight will allow the engine to roll your vehicle more easily, hence achieving better gas mileage. Check the trunk and if there is anything that doesn’t need to be in it, remove it as soon as possible.
Make Less Trips (If Possible)
Planning appointments, errands, and other trips will help you save money and time. It is also recommended that you combine the errands whenever possible. Going out on several errands during the day is a real gas waster. You can save on gasoline in the long run by making a habit of combining several trips into one.
Run Out Of Gas? Need A Tow?
The “Road Service” Division of Doug Yates Towing & Recovery, LLC has four fully equipped service trucks to help you out in times of need. If you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a dead battery or ran out of gas, give us a call. Our trained professionals can have you back up and running in no time. Additionally, if you need a tow our team will have the closest truck to you in no time for a quick and reliable tow. Give us a call today for service.