From driving to work, school, or home, your car’s gas gauge is always decreasing. Meanwhile, gas prices are ever on the rise, and it seems as if high gas prices are here to stay. Fuel efficient driving is the best way to save money at the pump and to get the most out of a car. Below are five tips to help stretch your full tank of gas for as many miles as possible.
1. Drive as smoothly as possible.
Most vehicles consume the largest amount of gas when they’re accelerating. Once a car starts moving, it does not require very much gas to continue moving, as long as you maintain some semblance of a constant speed. Avoid hitting the break as much as possible, and instead, allow your car to drift to a stop. This way, if you have to accelerate again, you won’t have to use as much gas because you won’t have slowed down as much.
2. Avoid heavy traffic.
Traffic is a gas-guzzler, so if possible, it’s best to avoid heavy traffic and excessive traffic lights. Even if a route is the shortest and most efficient in terms of time, it may not be the most fuel efficient if it involves stop-and-go traffic.
3. Turn off the air conditioner.
While an air conditioner is needed in every vehicle during the hot summer months, it takes gas and fuel to run. The compressor for the air conditioner loads the motor of the car, which reduces the fuel economy. Turn off the air conditioner five minutes before the destination is reached, as this will prevent the air conditioner from working until the very last second while still enabling you to ride in comfort.
4. Turn off the vehicle.
When a car is parked and still turned on, it uses a surprising amount of gas just to stay on, especially if the air conditioning is running. While it does take gas to turn the car back on once you shut it off, the amount of gas used to restart the engine is substantially less than what the car will use if you allow it idle. In fact, in most cases, the amount of gas needed to restart the car is consumed in only 20 seconds’ worth of idling, meaning if you’ll be idling for more than 20 seconds, it’s best to simply turn your car off.
5. Drive slower.
While it may seem like a pain, driving slower will save you a significant amount of gas. The faster the speed of the car, the more turbulence and drag is added to the fuel consumption. So not only can driving the speed limit be relaxing and add years to your vehicle’s lifespan, but it can also save money at the pump, which is something everyone can appreciate
Thornton Chevy of York, Pennsylvania
Gas prices continue to be a hardship on wallets, so it is important to take care of your vehicle and reduce the amount of gas it uses. Thornton Chevrolet, home to Central PA’s premier service center, is a valuable resource for keeping your car properly maintained, which is an excellent way to make sure it remains as fuel efficient as possible. For more information, visit Thornton Chevrolet at www.tchevy.com.
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