Archive for the ‘Gas Mileage’ Category

Tips To Maximize Fuel Economy

Friday, July 1st, 2011

gas pump

With gas prices higher than they’ve been in years, it is important to try to maximize your fuel economy.  Here are some of the best tips to help you do this and save money at the pump.

1) Keep Up on Regular Maintenance

A vehicle that is well maintained will consistently get better gas mileage.  In fact, a dirty air filter can reduce fuel economy by as much as 20 percent.  Old spark plugs can also reduce fuel economy by as much as 12 percent.  A mechanic will check all of these and more during routine maintenance to make sure they are in top condition.

2) Check Tire Pressure

Having tires that are not fully inflated can reduce fuel economy by as much as 25 percent.   Low tire pressure can severely reduce fuel economy and should be checked every few months.  This will make a significant difference in your gas mileage.

3) Get Rid of Junk

It is estimated that for every extra 250 pounds of weight in your vehicle, fuel economy will be reduced by one mile per gallon.  If you consistently haul around excess things in your car, consider taking some of it out.  It will greatly increase your fuel economy.

4) Reduce Your Speed

The faster you drive, the more gas you will use.  Highway driving provides better fuel economy, but only to a point.  For most vehicles, driving over 75 mph or with a tachometer reading above 2500 rpm will provide diminished results.

Following these tips will help you save money every time you have to get gas.  Each of these tips is easy to implement and will have a big impact on your fuel economy.

How do you save on gas?  Leave your comments below.

6 Tips On Saving Money At The Gas Pump

Monday, May 16th, 2011

gas pumpGas prices are on the rise.

We all know that the cars of today are getting better gas mileage.  However with rising prices, you’ll probably be looking for ways to save at the pump.

Following these tips will help you save money next time you fill up at the pump.

1. Fill It Up: Your car gets better gas mileage if it has a full tank of gas.  That’s because there’s less air in the gas tank to cause evaporation.

2. Slow Down: Drive the speed limit.  You’ll save on gas.  Once you get to 60 miles per hour, every 10 mph over that speed is giving up at least 54 cents per gallon.

3. Keep It Hot: Your car gets better gas mileage when the A/C is not running.  Roll down the windows and park in the shade.

4. Watch Weight: Keep an eye on how much cargo your hauling.  If you have a truck, don’t haul unnecessary items in the truck bed.  It hurts gas mileage.

5. Check The Tires: Make sure you’ve got the proper air pressure in your tires.  You can save up to 12 cents a gallon.

6. Use The Right Oil Grade: Use the recommended oil grade for your car or truck.  It can save you anywhere from 4 to 8 cents a gallon.

Following these tips will help you save money at the pump.  How do you save at the pump?  Leave your comments below.

100+ Miles Per Gallon

Monday, May 24th, 2010

The big thing on the market right now is Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV’s).  There is so much information and advertising out there in regards to what is best for the environment, what is best for mileage, and what is best for your pocketbook, that it is easy to get lost in all of the data.  You can always improve your fuel efficiency through proper tire inflation, a Las Cruces car tune up, or accelerating at a slower rate.  With these new technologies though, you improve gas mileage through generating some of the power for the car from electricity stored in batteries instead of relying on internal combustion power alone.

While there are certain vehicles, like a converted Saturn Vue SUV that reportedly gets 150 miles per gallon, the majority of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV’s) out there get far less.  The Toyota Prius gets around 51 miles per gallon, for instance, and the Ford Fusion gets 41 miles per gallon.  On the other end of the spectrum, you have the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid that comes in at a rather disappointing 19 miles per gallon.  Some of these vehicles are even implementing an electric motor driving a wheel directly, eliminating the need for an El Paso transmission flush, as there is no conventional transmission.

It is an exciting field in the automotive industry as developments and progress is made every day toward more fuel efficient vehicles.  While there may not be a fleet of 100+ mile per gallon cars on the road right now, it is looking more and more likely in the near future.

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Brake Buddy's Auto Repair Blog is your resource center for the straight scoop about car repairs. We cover tips and best practices for auto repair do-it-yourselfers and those interested in getting the most out of their vehicles. Brake Buddy's Auto Repair Blog is owned and operated by Brake Masters, an auto repair center with 55 locations in Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico. Interested parties are invited to contribute to this blog. Send your contributions to BuddyBlog at BrakeMasters dot com.

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