Helpful Ways to Improve Gas Mileage

full gas tank gauge

Owning a car, especially in Southern California, has become a necessity. Whether commuting to and from work, or going away on a trip, we use a lot of gas. and since it’s summertime and gas prices have gone up, our accident lawyer thought it would be a good idea to give everyone some helpful tips on how to increase gas mileage. This will not only help you save money, but it will help the longevity of your car. If you are suffering from injuries due to the negligent actions of another, contact an injury attorney at Silverthorne Attorneys to discuss your case. Consultations are free!

Accident Lawyer | Ways To Improve Gas Mileage

There are so many ways we can all improve gas mileage this summer. Here are a few ways to spend less monty on gas by increasing your car’s efficiency.

Easy On the Accelerator

I know that we all have a tendency to put the pedal to the metal, as they say. However, that is not the best way to save on fuel since you are pushing your car to work harder, faster. the point being is that while your car can go from 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds, your car will burn and use more fuel. the faster you go, the greater the drag your car will have to work against. Going easy on the accelerator will ensure that you improve your gas mileage.

Proper Tire Inflation

Having your tires properly inflated can reduce fuel consumption by up to 3%. Tires also lose about 1 PSI per month, and when the tires are cold in the wintertime, their pressure will decrease due to the thermal contraction of the air. Mechanics and engineers recommend that you check your tire pressure monthly, if not weekly. Not only will having properly inflated tires help with mileage, it will also help you avoid uneven wear on the treat.

  • Most gas stations have automatic air compressors that stop at a predetermined level;
    • for safety, double-check pressure with your own gauge. Especially if another is suggesting you add a large amount of air
  • Small permanently installed valve-stem extensions can allow filling the tires without having to remove the caps;
    • check that they are not prone to jamming with foreign matter and leaking
  • Recommended inflation pressures are for cold tires and it is best to inflate first thing in the morning, or if you’ve driven less than two miles. This is so your reading will be accurate;
    • If you have been driving for a while or it is hot outside, they suggest you add 3 PSI. Inflate to the pressure recommended by your car’s manual.
    • note: the reading stamped on the tire is the maximum tire pressure, not the recommended

Check Under the Hood

Another really important thing to do is check your engine and everything under the hood. Make sure your engine is properly tuned; this will maximize its power and enhance fuel efficiency. Make sure you are keeping good spark plugs in the engine, changing the oil on time, making sure the air filter is clean, etc. All of these combined will ensure that your car will not only run smoothly, it will ensure that your gas mileage will improve.

A dirty air filter will reduce fuel economy, or make the engine stall when idling. Like mowing dusty grass, driving on dusty roads will clog the air filter.

Lighten the Load

The lighter the car, the better. Getting the lightest car that will serve your needs will help improve gas mileage. Weight is one of the biggest causes for loss of kinetic energy in non-hybrid cars. If you are not in need of a new car, the best advice I can give you is to take any extra weight from your car. If there are seats that you will not use, that can be removed, take them out. When you use your trunk for storage space for heavy things, find another storage space for them. an extra 100 pounds in your car can increase fuel consumption by 1-2%. Weights is the most important when you are commuting in traffic. in almost exclusively highway driving, it matters very little. Once the car picks up speed, it only pushes air out of the way. Do not, however, remove things from the car that you will be needing on a regular basis. Instead, make sure these are in the car and are readily accessible.

Injury Attorney | Fuel Savings

When you fill up with gas, fill up halfway and always try to keep your tank above the one quarter mark. If your fuel runs low, you may end up putting extra stress on the fuel pump. Fun note: 10 gallons of gas adds about 60 pounds of weight. Therefore, a half tank will greatly increase your mileage.

Buy Quality Fuel

Remember, no two fuels are the same. and though discount brand fuel may save you at the pump, it usually contains a higher percentage of ethanol. Ethanol burns at a faster rate than normal. Compare the mileage between fuel companies and see what is best for your car.

Avoid using the air conditioner in stop-and-go driving. It will cause your engine to work harder in order to consume more oil. However, studies have shown that at higher speeds, some cars can get better mileage with the AC on and the windows rolled up. the drag caused by the rolled down windows at a high speed reduces fuel efficiency more than the AC.

Driving Habits

Sometimes, improving mileage has everything to do with your driving habits. Slow down! the faster you go, the harder your engine has to work in order to push through the air. Speeding can reduce efficiency up to 33%.

  • Accelerate smoothly and with moderate throttle;
    • engines are the most efficient with moderately high air flow and at RPM’s up to their power peak;
    • manual transmissions practice short shifting, or shifting to higher gears as soon as you reach the desired speed by skipping intermediate gears;
      • example: accelerate to 40mph using 1st gear and 2nd gear, then shift directly to 4th (skip 3rd), or if your engine can maintain your speed, to 5th.

Avoid braking too often. Braking wastes energy from fuel that you have already burned and accelerating after braking too often consumes more fuel than driving at a consistent speed.

Maintaining a safe following distance will not only help with road rage, prevent a fender bender, but it will also help with mileage. Don’t stick to the bumper of the directly in front of you. This will give a lot more room to breathe easier when you are driving. When the driver ahead of you slams on their brake, you want to make sure you have enough room to stop.

If you are suffering from injuries due to an accident, contact us to discuss your case. Consultations are free!