How to Increase Gas Mileage
By Marc Howe on Jun 29, 2010 with Comments 0
If you own a car, your one major concern is the rising costs of fuel. For those who drive daily spend a large part of money on daily refills. So, the priority is being given to raise the gas mileage by most of the drivers to reduce the fuel costs. There are so many ways in which you can improve the fuel efficiency of your car. In this article we will discuss some of the ways to increase the gas mileage.
Fill up a Full Tank
It is better to fill your tank up once rather than have it half filled or quarter filled. However, it seems quite expensive to have your tank full in short run, but in long run your actually saving your money by having your fuel tank full once at a time. Half filled tanks usually not give you the correct measurement of the gas mileage. Full tank will not only help you to calculate the accurate mileage, but also helps you to improve the gas mileage.
Driving Skills and Techniques
Gas mileage depends on your driving skills and techniques. Your skills determine the mileage of your vehicle in so many ways. If you are a skilled driver and have good techniques you can save a lot. The only thing you have to focus upon is the forward momentum of your car. The better the forward momentum of your car, better will be the fuel efficiency.
- Coasting: Coasting is a technique used to save the fuel on long driving trips like highways, open roads or interstate highways. When your car picks up a good speed and momentum, turning off your engine cannot only save your money, but also improve your mileage. The forward momentum is enough to keep your vehicle moving.
- Gear Shifts: Another way to improve mileage is to keep your car on low gears. Moving on high gears with higher rate of acceleration cause you high fuel consumption. Shift to higher gears only when it is inevitable, otherwise low gears are enough to keep the momentum going.
- Slipping or Feathering: Slipping or feathering is a term used when you use accelerator in a way to keep momentum rather than depressing the accelerator unnecessarily. Feathering the accelerator feed the engine with just about enough fuel that is required to keep the momentum going. You can save fuel and improve your mileage with this technique.
Conversion
Other than driving techniques, there are certain other ways through which you can improve the mileage of your car. If you think your car is gas guzzling, you should try to convert your engine to more efficient fuel option. However, converting is an expensive process, but in a long run it will save you a lot of money.
- Bio-diesel: Bio-diesel is more economical type of fuel, which is made from organic oils. However, it is different from fossil fuels, but still it works like fossil fuel in an economical way. With slight modifications in fuel lines and engine, you can convert on bio-diesel engine type.
- LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas): LPG is another conversion type. It costs a fraction of price of gasoline. Conversion to LPG is expensive, but benefit you in future with reduced fuel costs.
- Diesel: Diesel engine uses air compression instead of combustion process and comparatively inexpensive than the gasoline.
Car Maintenance
Routine car maintenance is always plays an important role in the performance of the vehicle. A well-maintained car not only improves the driving conditions but also save a lot of money. A well-maintained car is fuel-efficient. On the other hand a poorly maintained car not only raises the repairing costs but also raises the fuel costs. Poor lubrication, heat damage and other wear and tear reduces the fuel efficiency and the life of the parts.
You can increase mileage by following these simple techniques. If you want all round performance from your vehicle you have to maintain your car in well shape. Regular maintenance and some driving skills will help you to improve the fuel economy and save the environment also.
Filed Under: Guides/DIY