Her Auto Tips

Her Living (NE) October/November 2011

Filling up at the gas station is getting more and more expensive every day it seems. There are a few things that we can do, however, to get better gas mileage and make that stop less often.
Keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. Make sure that your engine is properly tuned, and only use the recommended grade of motor oil. To increase your gas mileage, not only use the correct motor oil, but also look for motor oil that states it’s energy-conserving. Another often overlooked thing is emptying heavy items from your car’s trunk. A weighted-down car makes your vehicle have to work harder and use more gas. This affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Properly inflated tires can also affect your gas mileage. Make sure that your tires are properly inflated; most of the time there’s a sticker on the driver’s door jamb that states the proper tire pressure for your vehicle.
How you drive can alter the gas mileage as well. Observing the speed limit makes a difference, as gas mileage steadily decreases at speeds above 60 mph. When on the highway, use cruise control. Driving at a consistent speed may reduce gas use. Also, avoid a lot of sudden braking and make sure to accelerate gradually. Turn off your vehicle when you are parked. Restarting your vehicle uses less gas than idling.
As gas prices steadily climb, it’s important that we do the things we can to improve our vehicle’s gas mileage. These are just a few tips to get you started.
 

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