With the unpredictable costs on gas prices it is almost necessary to increase a car’s gas mileage. A car that gets 19 miles per gallon in the city can be increased to 25 miles per gallon just by following a few simple directions. Most cars have a digital display that shows them how many miles per gallon they are getting. In order to ensure that these few tips are working, a person will need to keep track of their miles to see any changes.
Tips to Increase a Cars Miles Per Gallon
Less acceleration- Many people do not realize that they are aggressive drivers when they accelerate quickly between stops. A car uses more gas when a person pushes hard on the gas pedal in order to make a car speed up. Pushing on the accelerator gradually will save a lot more gas, and also create a safer driving environment.
No slamming on brakes- Hitting the brakes just before reaching a stop sign will take more gas than just gradually letting a car slow down, and then stopping. Slamming on brakes in traffic laden freeways also takes more gas.
Drive the speed limit- Drivers should drive the speed limit in towns, cities, freeways, and highways. Driving well over the speed limit takes more gas when the person has to push harder on the gas pedal. When driving the speed limit people will notice how much less they have to fill up their gas tanks while on the road. With gas prices up to $3 a gallon in most places, most people will not mind obeying this law.
Cruise Control- Using the cruise control is one of the best ways to save on gas and miles per gallon. When a car stays at the same speed for a long stretch of time the car will take less wear and tear and people will not have to fill up with gas as much. Cruise control can give a car up to four to five extra miles per gallon on long trips. This is something that a person can test out for themselves when they go on road trips. They can drive their car without the cruise control on and see how much more gas they are using.
Road conditions- Road conditions can seriously effect the miles per gallon that a car gets. Highways that have a lot of hills that go up and down for long stretches will take more gas. Using cruise control while taking these hills will help in controlling the accelerator.
No air conditioner- Using an air conditioner can have a serious draw on a cars gas mileage. It takes a lot more gas to run an air conditioner. If a person can help it, driving without the air conditioner on can save gas and increase the miles per gallon. Sweltering hot summers may be to much to ask for a person to drive without an air conditioner, but during the fall, spring, and winter months the weather is much nicer, and people can roll down their windows.
Taking hills- There are many places in the United States that have real hills, and other places that have speed bumps. A real hill is a hill that goes up in height and the car starts to slow down to a crawl. When this happens, accelerate before getting to the hill, and then let the momentum take the car over the hill. Putting the pedal to the metal will be another serious draw on a gas tank.
Clean car- These may be more myths than fact, but it has been proven that a car with a lot of junk in it can weigh the car down, which will affect the miles per gallon and gas.
Tire pressure- A cars tire pressure should be checked to ensure that the tires are not below its pressure point. If a cars tires are too low, it will affect the gas mileage on a car.
Air filter- Changing the air filter on a car periodically will help give better gas mileage than an air filter that is choked up and dirty.
Hybrid car- A hybrid car is a car that runs on electricity and gas. Buying a hybrid can save a lot on gas when a person only uses the electric part in the city and gas on the highway during road trips.