Some Simple But Effective Automotive Maintenance Tips To Help Improve Your Gas Mileage

By:Gregg Hall

Your mileage has certainly become a much more interesting topic in recent times. This is not because folks have just developed a new love for auto mechanics; it has to do with how much of our monthly spend goes to gas. The price of gas is still near all time highs and does not show any signs of dropping low enough to really make a difference. I will give you a few tips that will help you maximize your gas mileage.

You can get better gas mileage by changing your oil at regular intervals. If you've been putting off this important chore indefinitely you've built a drain on your finances without knowing. Time is money. But the time spent on changing your oil is saved at the gas station. Always remember what you're losing otherwise. This will motivate you to do your oils as frequently as necessary.

The next thing that can help you improve your mileage is the attention you give to your tires. The condition of your tires affects your fuel use. Under inflated tires lower your gas mileage by 0.4 for every one pound of drop in pressure of all four tires. This means that if you're under inflated by as much as 5 pounds you are losing as much as 2% in your fuel economy.

Still on tires, if your tires are not properly aligned they will drag and not roll freely. This also will increase fuel consumption. So, it's a good idea to ensure your tires are properly aligned. Generally make sure your tires have all the care they require. You'll get better mileage for that.

The more load you have on your car, the less your gas mileage. This means that you must get rid of stuff that are of no practical use to you on a drive. Check your trunk, you'll be surprised how much has accumulated over time. Remove them and keep only the essentials.

A warm engine saves more fuel than a cool engine. How can you take advantage of this fact? Simple. Try as much as possible to combine every bit of activity that involves driving around into one or less drives. You can work out mutual arrangements with friends that will help you maximize this option.

There are features you can use on the highway to improve your gas mileage. They are the cruise control and the overdrive. The first helps you maintain your speed while the other provides an extra gear for high speeds.

Driving at speeds above 60km/h lower you gas mileage. So drive at slower speeds wherever you can.
Go ahead and make sure you try all these tips and you'll improve your gas mileage considerably.

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Article keywords: gas mileage, tires, automotive maintenance

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as vintage wheels at http://www.vintagewheelsplus.com

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