Tune up to Save Money on Gas

You might not have purchased your electric car yet, but you can still save money on fueling your gas-thirsty ride. Following is a checklist from The Daily Green to help you run your car more efficiently and in a more environmentally friendly manner.

• Your vehicle probably needs an air filter replacement, as almost one in four cars does. A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by some 12 percent.
• When was the last time you checked your tire alignment? Poor alignment causes tires to wear out more quickly, and it also forces your engine to work harder. Aligning your tires can save up to 10 percent on fuel cost.
• While you’re at the mechanic, you might ask him to give your car a tune-up. A properly maintained engine can improve mileage by up to four percent.
• Surprisingly, nearly 17 percent of cars on the road have broken or missing gas caps. “Why is this interesting to me?” I hear you murmur. Escaping fumes decrease fuel economy, and they also release smog-causing compounds into the air. Avoiding air pollution and improving fuel mileage is as easy as replacing a bad gas cap.
• Don’t slow down just because you’ve spied a state trooper lying in wait behind the next overpass. For every five miles per hour you reduce highway speed, you can reduce fuel consumption by seven percent.
• Turn your engine off. Idling engines waste gas and pollute. If you stop your car for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine.
• Remove excess weight from the trunk.  By keeping an extra 100 pounds in your car, you reduce an average car’s fuel economy by up to two percent.

 

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