Fossil Fuels that power automobiles come from non-renewable sources and contribute to pollution and global warming in a big way.
Individual drivers can increase gas mileage for the vehicles and contribute to energy conservation in many ways. Good driving style, adherence to basic car maintenance tips and making optimal use of the car increase fuel economy by as much as twenty percent!
Driving Style
Irrespective of the vehicle's declared fuel efficiency, driving style improves or retard gas mileage in a big way. The US Department of Energy estimates that smooth driving contributes to increased fuel efficiency and rough or rash driving retards fuel efficiency by as much as 33%.
Aggressive acceleration and braking contribute to the vehicle consuming more gasoline than normal. Driving at a constant speed of around 60 miles per hour that does not stretch the aerodynamic resistance of the car, combined with smooth and linear acceleration or deceleration improves gas mileage. Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle ahead allow sufficient reaction time to apply brakes smoothly and contribute to smooth deceleration.
Driving with the clutch pressed wastes engine power and not only increase gas consumption, but also wears out the clutch faster.
Waiting for an extended period at traffic signals or other places with the engine on is a waste of gasoline.
Vehicles with manual transmission, where the driver shifts gear manually are usually more fuel efficient compared to vehicles with automatic transmission, where the vehicles selects the gears automatically. In manual transmission vehicles, it is however pertinent to shift to a higher gear as early as possible without straining the engine. The optimal shift point is between 1500 – 2000 rpm for most vehicles. Remaining in a lower gear at very high speed or in a higher gear at low speeds strains the engine at increase fuel consumption, leading to poor gas mileage.
Car Maintenance
Adherence to basic car maintenance tips contributes to better gas mileage in a big way.
Tuning the car at regular intervals, cleaning air-filters and spark plugs, and changing engine oil at the recommended maintenance intervals contributes to a better gas mileage. Dirty air intake filter and spark plug decrease the amount of air entering the engine, resulting in incomplete combustion and more fuel consumption.
Manufacturer-recommended tire pressures optimize the level of rolling resistance and contribute to an increase in fuel efficiency. Deviance from the optimal tire pressure not only increases rolling resistance leading to more fuel consumption, but also causes uneven wear to the tire. Oversize tires also increase the rolling resistance.
Optimal Usage
Car engines have an optimal running temperature at which point it consumes the least amount of gasoline. Short trips usually results in the car running at a cold and below optimal temperature for a majority of the distance, leading to poor gas mileage. Planning the trip to cover more tasks per trip gives time to warm up the engine and is a good alternative to frequent short trips.
Unloading unnecessary cargo and baggage to keep the car as light as possible increase fuel economy, for fuel efficiency is inversely proportional to the weight of the vehicle..
Constant acceleration and deceleration and frequent use of the clutch and brakes lead to increased consumption of gasoline. Avoiding rush hour traffic by traveling either before or after the peak hours ensures a comparatively smooth ride and better gas mileage.
Open windows affect the cars aerodynamic efficiency at high speeds. Keeping the windows rolled up and the air-conditioner on at speeds over sixty miles per hour contributes to aerodynamic efficiency and improved gas mileage.
All these measures, individually and in combination contribute to better fuel efficiency in a big way, and not only provide you considerable savings on gasoline prices, but also reduces pollution and global warming and make the world a better place.
References:
Gas Mileage Tips, Fueleconomy.gov, U.S. Department of Energy
Related Links:
Determining if Your Car Needs Clutch Repair
Car Repairs You Can't Afford to Avoid
Nayab Naseer - Nayab Naseer is a Post Graduate in Human Resource Management with 10+ years of corporate work experience. He is an extensive writer ...
Join the Conversation