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Tips To Maximize Fuel Efficiency

2010-10-21T03:13:00.000-07:00

Fuel Efficiency Maximizing

There are many ways we can significantly improve the fuel economy of our vehicle. Managing our vehicle by minimizing operating costs on fuel as well as minimizing emissions is our goal. The right choice of spare parts , careful driving and good maintenance will help us to Save Fuel and Money. Here are some helpful tips that we can use to help to achieve a fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious vehicle.

Air Filter - Changing and cleaning the air filter is the single most easiest way to ensure a vehicle is running more efficiently. Filters are inexpensive and should be replaced every five months. That of course depends on where we live. Dustier areas may require more frequent changes. We can consider using Hi-Performance Air Filters. They are made of cloth instead of paper which allows more air-flow and are reusable. Increased air flow means more power and fuel efficiency. They are re a little pricy but it may be worth it in the long run.

Oxygen Sensors - The Oxygen sensors job is to read the amount of oxygen flowing out of the engine through the exhaust pipe. Depending on its reading it will tell the main computer to add more or less fuel to keep the air and fuel mixture at its best performance. The Oxygen sensor should be replaced if it starts sending false information to the computer.

Fuel Injectors - Fuel injectors spray a mist of gas into the engine. Sometimes over time their misting ability turns more into squirting or trickling if they get clogged with silt. While some mechanics would recomend replacing them, the truth is that they can be fixed quite easily. They just need a good cleaning. Add a bottle of Fuel Injector Cleaner into a full tank of gasoline. Once we are out on the highway give the engine a few good hard throttles to really push the gas through the injectors. Always obey the speed limit though. After a few weeks our vehicle should be running better than ever .

City Drive - Nothing will destroy our vehicles' efficiency worse than driving in traffic. If we can avoid traffic problem areas do it. Try car pooling or taking the train - just stay away from places where we will have to crawl around at slow speeds. It not only will burn more gas, it causes our vehicle to overheat and breakdown. Avoid traffic like it were the plague.

PCV Valve -The PCV Valve is a small plastic part that is usually attached with a hose and located on top of the rocker cover. It takes whatever gases that were not burned inside of the enging and sends it back to be burned again. If the PCV Valve were not to operate properly gas build up inside of the engine would be lost and eventually find its way into the atmosphere.

Spark Plugs - The spark plugs job is to create the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in our engine. Sometimes over time the plugs get dirty and should be replaced. When replacing ensure that they are the righ ones for our vehicle type. And also be sure Not all spark plus are created equally - usually the more expensive spark plugs ignite the gases faster and more efficiently. This could translate into more horsepower and better fuel efficiency.

Alignment Balance - The vehicle should have a proper wheel alignment . Sometimes after hiting a hard bump things can get screwy with the tires - so have them tested and make certain they're all straight. The last thing we want is one tire pulling us left while the other goes right. Also, make sure that our tires are in good condition and balanced properly. An inbalanced tire will shake at specific speeds and will disturb the overall driving quality of the vehicle.

Tire Pressure - Most of a vehicles energy can be lost just by having inproperly inflated tires. To ensure we are doing right by the environment the tire pressure should be measured carefully, acuratly and often.

Tags :-Save Fuel , Save Fuel Tips , Maximize Fuel Efficiency , Tips to Maximize Fuel Efficiency , Tire pressure , Spark Plugs , Fuel Injectors , Air Filters , Spare Parts of Automobiles

Car Maintenance Tips for Better fuel efficiency

2010-10-21T02:29:00.000-07:00

Save Fuel - Save Earth

As global oil prices continue to rise meteorically to record levels, we have to find ways to improve our cars' fuel economy and save money. Especially now that drivers are doing a lot more traveling than ever, the importance of fuel economy cannot be over emphasized. We have to find ways to save money on gas and improve fuel efficiency, especially if our vehicles are not really known for their excellent gas mileage.

The usage of automobiles have increased in the recent years and much can be owed to fast paced economy of the world . There is a tendency among the individuals to acquire the latest model of cars of various brands that come with superb features and elegant style. People after getting a car often care little about regular car maintenance. Although we may be doing regular servicing of our dream machine , but a good Automobile maintenance can not only keep the machine good but also help to save a little fuel too .

Some Useful Tips for Improving our Automobile Fuel Economy

Proper oil maintenance and viscosity will help our car to operate at maximum efficiency. Heavy oil will cause the engine to work harder. Use the lightest grade oil for our climate and season .

Consumers should change the oil and air filter at recommended intervals to minimize engine wear and reduce the possibility of internal damage. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat. All of this promotes better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Severe problems could result if the engine’s oil isn’t changed. The lowest multi grade of oil should be used, because it improves fuel efficiency of the engine. The best oil for fuel economy is the oil with the “ Energy Conserving ” label.

Fire up the spark plugs. A tune-up is a misnomer in this day in age. Computer-driven coil packs replaced the points, condenser and distributor in most vehicles a long time ago. The spark plugs must fire properly for the engine to run smoothly. Replace the spark plugs on time, according to owner's manual.

Tire Maintenance - Our vehicle's tires is crucial to fuel economy . Every other fill-up, walk around the vehicle and check tires for uneven or excessive tread wear as well as proper inflation .
Rolling resistance could result if our vehicle’s tires are not at the correct pressure. Rolling resistance results in premature tread wear when our tires are under inflated, which increases fuel consumption. Check tire pressure once a month, and check tires for uneven wear, because this could be a sign of over inflation, under inflation, or improper wheel alignment. Misaligned tires will drag instead of rolling freely. This will increase fuel consumption; reduce tire life and cause problems with the vehicle’s handling.

Engine Tuning - A well-tuned engine runs more efficiently. Vehicles manufactured after 1996 have an on board diagnostics system that monitors emissions related components, and alerts the driver to problems by triggering the “ Service Engine Soon ” or “ Check Engine ” light. This light helps detect problems before they become noticeable to the driver. If the light comes on, then drivers should consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Replace the dirty air filter - An air filter works hard on freeways and roads and collects dust, dirt and debris. A new and functioning air filter will provide better fuel mileage .

Cooling System - The cooling system keeps the engine at its optimal operating temperature. Systems outside of the cooling range, increases fuel consumption, and emissions and engine wear. The engine’s cooling system will only run properly, if it receives regular maintenance. This includes monitoring the coolant level in the overflow tank, regularly inspecting hoses for cracks or loose clamps and adjusting belts. Coolant degrades over time and because of this, antifreeze concentration should be tested every fall so that the engine will be protected for winter. A clogged air filter will decrease fuel efficiency also. The air filter helps protect the inside of the engine from impurities. Clogged air filters can decrease gas mileage by up to 10 percent.

Regular maintenance of a vehicle’s ignition system is important in maximizing fuel efficiency. The spark plugs in a gasoline engine ignite the air fuel mixture. If one or more of the plugs are worn or malfunctioning, then the engine will misfire and some fuel will remain unburned. Worn or damaged spark plug wires can also cause misfiring. A misfiring engine wastes fuel. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on engine checks and spark plug and ignition wire replacement, because problems with the ignition system are usually too subtle to see.

So to conclude , A poorly maintained vehicle can boost fuel consumption by 50 percent, and greenhouse gases by even more. The best way to keep our vehicle running clean is to follow the maintenance instructions in the owner’s manual. It’s not a good idea to guess at maintenance. To get maximum fuel economy, our vehicle should be maintained to the standards recommended in the owner’s manual. By understanding how different vehicle components affect fuel efficiency will allow us to better appreciate the importance of maintenance, and our role in keeping our vehicle in peak running condition.

Tags :- Save Fuel , Fuel Efficient Tips , Car Maintenance tips , Maximum fuel economy , Tips to maximize Fuel efficiency , Engine Tuning , Save Money on Fuel , Tire pressure Tips , Oil Maintenance

Save Fuel Tips - Two Wheelers

2010-10-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

Two Wheelers and Fuel Efficient Tips

As fuel prices constantly trend higher, there is a growing financial need to maximize fuel efficiency. Because motorcycles are smaller and lighter than their 4-wheel counterparts, most people assume that they enjoy great fuel efficiency, regardless of operator effort. But to be frank is a myth. In reality, many motorcycles achieve poor fuel efficiency due to their high revving engines and aggressive operator habits. Disciplined driving and maintenance habits are needed to maximize motorcycle fuel efficiency.

How to Maximize Fuel Efficiency on our Motorcycle

Plan trips to avoid high congestion times and places. Avoid rush hour traffic whenever possible.

Travel at constant speeds at or below the posted speed limit.

Keep the face shield of our helmet down and fastened when moving to minimize wind friction. Also secure loose-fitting clothing to avoid wind drag.

Regularly inspect the air filter element. Replace at regular intervals.As with other vehicles, properly inflated tires are a must. Check tire pressures on a regular basis.Clean spark plug regularly. Every 750 km for two stroke bike and every 1,500 km for four-stroke bike. Clean spark points with emery paper and innards with some aluminium wire. After this wash with petrol.

Avoid jackrabbit starts. Resist the temptation to accelerate quickly.Avoid revving the throttle while stopped. That loud revving that so many motorcyclists enjoy burns fuel for no reason.

Try to minimize the number of times that you must shift gears.

Remove unnecessary weight from the motorcycle. Use accessories, such as saddle bags, only when necessary.

Always use correct recommended grade of engine oil as recommended in Owners Manual . Ensure that the oil is in sufficient quantity as recommended. Check with dipsitck or inspection window or bleed-plug nut.

Check cables regularly for kinks, bends and frayed ends. Especially check ends. If one or more strands appears broken, replace immediately. Don't try to save money by ignoring it till later time. Also lubricate annular space between cable inner and outer, by holding one end and letting cable hang vertically and letting lubricating oil drip into annular space .

Keep carburettor clean. Every 1500 km, clean out the carburettor float chamber and other parts. Clean jets by forcing compressed air thru them.Ensure that float is not punctured and float-pin is not jamming. There should be free play of the float around its hinge in the chamber.

Check tyres for wear and tear and cracks. Replace if worn. Also replace if there are cracks. This is most important in rainy season. It can save our life.

Check entire fuel line, right from where it comes out of the tank, the fitting of the fuel cock, fuel filter, the plastic or rubber pipes etc. touch each spot with your clean, dry fingers. If there is any leak, it will show on our fingers. Also smell our fingers. If we get petrol smell, then there is a leak.

Tips for an Economic and a Cost-Effective Journey

Always opt for public transport means like bus and train as far as possible.Use car, only if it’s a family trip.Avoid two-wheelers to travel walkable distances.

Fuel efficiency is maximum at 55km per hour. If the speed is further increased, that in turn affects the fuel efficiency.

Avoid competition while on road. Sudden acceleration and deceleration- both reduces the fuel efficiency of your vehicle by 37%.

Don’t ride so close to the preceding vehicle. If at all that foregoing vehicle stops unexpectedly, we will be in a situation to apply a sudden brake which results in fuel loss; if not a fatal accident !

Avoid riding at the lowest possible speed. This reduces the fuel efficiency as well as damages the engine and all.

When we park our vehicle, park in the first available spot. Avoid driving through the parking area in search of convenient parking space. Always try to park the vehicle in some shaded area.

Avoid keeping unnecessary stuffs in the storage area of the vehicle. Plan journeys in such a way that many things can be accomplished in a single journey if possible, rather than having separate journeys.

Manipulate the distance to the destination and understand the route beforehand. This helps to avoid chances of going astray which in turn avoids time loss and fuel loss. Mapping facilities in mobile phones can be utilized.

There is no point in having excess fuel in the fuel tank for a considerable amount of fuel will be lost through evaporation. Make sure that we have enough fuel- not up any more, not up any less.

Tags :- Save Fuel Tips , Maximize Fuel Efficiency , Two Wheeler Fuel Saving Tips , Two wheeler Maintenance Tips , Two wheeler Spare Parts , Tips for Economic drive , Tips for Cost-Effective drive

Save Fuel Tips for SUV's

2010-10-19T04:33:00.000-07:00

Fuel Efficient Tips for SUV's

Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) are designed for people who want power and luxurious interior design for their cars. That is why most SUVs come with large engine capacity and a wide range of add on accessories. However, many SUV owners are in a dilemma right now because of the high Fuel prices at the local pump station. With the supply of global crude oil from the Middle East being limited, the gas prices are expected to go even higher in the near future.

When Fuel prices are rising, we may have a question whether to purchase a SUV . But the beauty and efficiency may force us to go n buy a SUV with the fuel price taking a second place . We can keep the Fuel cost under control If we keep an eye on some basic materials which helps to Save Fuel and Save Money on Fuel .

Do regular maintenance on our SUV. To get good gas mileage out of our SUV, make sure that you take it in for a tune-up on a regular basis. If our SUV is relatively new, it probably still has a suggested maintenance schedule from the manufacturer. If not, take it in for oil changes every 3 months or 3000 miles.

Make sure that we keep our fluids topped-up and our oil filter clean. Be sure that we keep our tires properly inflated and the wheels are properly aligned.

Make sure we drive at a constant pace. As an SUV owner, we can easily make a few Fuel saving changes to our driving habits. First of all, try to drive at an even pace. If we are constantly speeding up and slowing down, it will lower our gas mileage. Keep our SUV moving at a steady speed and our engine won't work as hard. If we have it, use your cruise control features especially on the highways to help maintain a steady speed. This will really save on fuel .

Another Fuel saving tip for SUV owners is to slow down. If we make our SUV travel at higher speeds, we will inevitably cause our engine to work at a higher RPM, which burns more fuel . Travelling at a lower speed allows SUV owners to save fuel because it requires less of the engine.

Avoid hauling heavy loads. our SUV burns through a lot of fuel with a heavy load. So if we don't need to pull or tow something, don't. Lessen our load and it will lessen our SUV's fuel bill.

Skip the drive-through. Contrary to popular belief, we will save money on fuel if we turn off our SUV, even for a few seconds, as opposed to letting it run. So if we are stuck at a railway crossing, turn off the power to our SUV. Idling costs us money because it wastes fuel. And if we are torn between hitting the drive-thru or going inside of a restaurant or bank, go inside. We will be saving hundreds in fuel ever year by not running our SUV unnecessarily.

These fuel saving tips for SUVs can help ease the pain of filling up. When fuel prices sky rocketed, the SUV market plummeted nearly as much. For those who decided to weather the storm or could not bear the thought of parting with our SUV, fear not.

The first tip will keep all costs down, not just the cost of fuel. It is important to keep up with our SUV's regular maintenance. Changing our oil, making sure the fluids are full and cleaning the air filter go a long way toward increasing our SUV's fuel efficiency. Also, make sure our tires are properly inflated and aligned.

Driving habits are at the heart of tip two. Too many people speed up to stay on top of the driver ahead of them, to beat the light or to keep the driver in the other lane from getting in front of them. Keeping a constant speed will increase our MPG as we will not need to accelerate or brake as often, both of which are notorious fuel eating activities.

Cruise control is a great tool that should be used as often as possible on the highway. It is difficult as a driver to maintain a constant speed over long periods of time as one experiences on the highway. The cruise control takes that out of play by keeping the vehicle at a constant speed.

Contrary to popular belief, turning the car off and on does not use as much fuel as leaving a car idling. To maximize the amount of fuel in our SUV it would be best, but probably impractical, to turn off our engine any time we have to stop for an extended time like at a rail road crossing or long stop light. Even something as simple as running into our favorite fast food restaurant rather than going through the drive thru will add miles to our fuel economy.

Set our cruise control at a slower speed. A study conducted by the Congressional Business Office indicated that if a car reduces its speed from 70 mph to 65 mph, it could cut fuel expenses by 8.2 percent or approximately 9 cents every 10 miles. If We travel a lot, this could be a substantial savings.

Accelerate smoothly. Unless we absolutely must gun our SUV to get into the merge lane, bide our time and wait for a relaxed opening. Quick accelerations are major fuel burners so exercise patience and save some money.

Warm up a fuel-injected SUV for no more than 1 minute unless outdoor temperatures are frigid. Manufacturers claim that 1 minute is sufficient for a fuel-injected engine to warm up by idling.

Turn off our SUV's engine while waiting for a family member to come out of the store or out of school. In addition, consider turning off our engine for a few minutes if we know we will be stuck in traffic for a while.

Roll up our SUV's windows while driving at highway speeds. The aerodynamic drag created by open windows, forces our SUV's engine to strain harder to maintain speed. As a result, we burn more fuel.

Inflate your tires fully. Low tires create a road drag that slows our SUV down.

Tags :- Save Fuel Tips , Save Fuel Tips for SUV's , Maximize Fuel Economy , SUV Maintenance Tips for Fuel Economy , Tips to Maintain SUV Fuel Cost

Eco Driving - Benefits and Saves Fuel

2010-10-19T00:11:00.000-07:00

Eco Driving

Eco driving is a way of driving that reduces fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and accident rates. Ecodriving is about driving in a style suited to modern engine technology - smart, smooth and safe driving techniques that lead to average fuel savings of 5-10%.

Eco driving offers benefits for drivers of cars, vans, lorries and buses: cost savings and fewer accidents as well as reductions in emissions and noise levels. Several European countries have implemented successful ecodriving programs .

Car choice plays a big part in the extent to which our motoring affects the environment, but whatever car we have got there's a number of simple things we can do to reduce energy use , CO2 emissions and pollution.

Driving a car can be a mixed bag for those of us concerned about the environment and saving fuel and money. Even if the price of fuel drops a little, filling up our tank with gas can be a wallet-emptying experience. On top of the money spent on fuel , the amount of pollutants and CO2 released by our car adds to the green guilt.

With that in mind, here's some great eco-driving tips to minimize the impact of our car on the environment, and save money at the same time:

Limit the Speedometer : For every five miles per hour we drive above 55 mph, we lose 10% fuel efficiency ! so keep our speed down when we can.

Don't be idle: If we are stopped for more than a minute, shut off engine. Fuel efficiency savings of up to 19% are possible by being more aware of not letting our engine idle while stopped .

Go steady: Many traffic lights are timed for efficient traffic flow, and by maintaining a constant speed, we will hit more green lights in a row.

Go for a cruise: Use our cruise control on the highway to maintain a steady speed and keep ourself from accelerating unnecessarily. An average fuel savings of 10% is possible by just cruising. For mountainous drives, skip the cruise control and accelerate smoothly on the hills, coasting down the other side with minimal fuel.

Hack fuel efficiency: Change our plugs regularly, keep our engine tuned up, and our filters clean. Empty our car of any extra items we have been hauling around for years to lighten our load.

Jump in the pool groups: Drive alone means we are making the Fuel industry very happy. Find a carpool for work commutes, and ask our friends and neighbors to combine errand runs with us .

Increasing our Fuel mileage and reducing the amount of energy we consume while driving might be easier than we think. The biggest oil-eater in the United States is our automobiles, accounting for around 2/3 of all oil consumption.

Driving economically will not only help save money by reducing our fuel consumption but will also help reduce our vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions and the negative impact our vehicle has on the environment.

Here are some fast tips for Fuel saving Eco driving tips.

Roof racks, bike carriers and roof boxes will affect our car's aerodynamics and reduce fuel efficiency. If we have to use them make sure we remove them when not in use. Driving with the windows or sunroof open will also decrease our car's aerodynamics.

Change into the highest appropriate gear as soon as we can. Driving the engine in low gear consumes large amounts of fuel.

Maintain a steady speed using the highest gear possible. The most efficient speed is typically around 45 - 50mph. Driving faster than this will greatly increase our fuel consumption. The Department of Transport claim driving at 70 mph uses up to 9% more fuel than at 60 mph and up to 15% more than at 50 mph .

If we anticipate being stuck in a queue of traffic for more than a minute or so then cutting the engine will save fuel and reduce emissions.

Check our tyre pressure regularly. Under-inflated tyres are dangerous and can increase fuel consumption by up to 3%

Turning on the air condition for long periods of time will significantly increase fuel consumption.

Tags ;- Save Fuel , Save Fuel Tips , Eco Driving , Benefits of Eco Driving , Eco Driving Tips , Fuel Efficiency , Fuel Consumption , Reduce Fuel Consumption

Save Fuel Save Earth

2010-10-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

Save Fuel Save Earth

The world is facing a severe fuel crisis . It has been estimated that by the year 2025 all the oil reservoir is going to be empty. The main reason is the increase in the production of automobiles day-by-day and hence the consumption of the Fuel is also increasing.We know that one or the other day the fuel present on earth is going to be vanished or it would not be available.Then what would happen to these automobiles which are build to run on the fuels like petron,diesel,etc. So there must be an alternative way to find the solution.First of all,we will take a look on the effect of the fuel on our environment.

Our environment is being effected due to combustion of fuels by the automotives. The automobiles run on petrol or diesel,the automotives burn the fuels to run the automobiles .The burned fuels are released into the environment,This released smoke or burned fuels are depleting the Ozone layer of the earth.Due to the depletion of Ozone layer , Green house effect is taking place and the earth is getting heated up and burning from inside.

The Most important question to be answered in this Era is - What Can You Do to Save Mother Earth ? The answer is simple - Save Fuel and Gas !

To have a great impact on our health and the environment isn't an easy task. But if we are motivated and really want to adjust our lifestyle in order to develop positive habits, and to do our part to change the negative trends against the environment and save Fuel deposit , this is a must.

Tips on How To Save Fuel Consumption for Better Environment

Today a large number of motorists are wasting fuels worth millions just because of their negligence and ignorance about how to maintain their vehicle. No matter which car we are driving we can always squeeze out more distance from each gallon of fuel. And for doing this all we have to do is some minor things that will add up to great savings.

Slow down speed and stick to the speed limit. In a couple of days we can notice how much fuel we have saved. Always remember that speed speeds up the consumption of fuel thereby reducing the fuel economy .

Avoid using too much of clutch and unnecessarily as this would lead to the extra consumption of fuel. Also while standing in the red light it is always better to turn off the vehicle .

Avoid starting up our vehicle rapidly and sudden stops as this would only increase our fuel consumption. Moreover, the cars of today's generation do not need warm up, so start the engine instantly and begin to drive steadily.

Turn off the air conditioner when driving around the city. Open the window and enjoy the gust of wind and the cool breeze.

Check if the tires are properly inflated because if it is under inflated then we will have to burn more fuel in order to set it to roll smoothly as it increases the resistance.

A proper maintenance of our car is also essential. Make sure to replace the spark plugs, as it can cause misfiring, and the dirty air filters regularly.

Do not overload the rack of our automobiles. This can increase the fuel consumption by at least 5% in highway driving. An empty car rack can also increase fuel consumption. If possible clean out our car periodically because the more the weight of the car the more fuel burns.

Clean the engine oil after a certain mileage as dirty engine oils can cause internal engine friction and lead to the wastage of fuel.

Use fuel with lower octane. They are cheaper. However if our car requires higher octane then we can mix the fuel.

These were some of the tips on how to save fuel. There are also other ways like walking to the store instead of driving, riding a bike or using public transport system wherever possible.

Tags :- Save Fuel , Save Fuel Tips , Fuel Efficient Tips , Fuel Consumption

Save Money on Fuel and Gas

2010-10-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

Save Money on Fuel and Gas

Due to the recent hike in gas and fuel prices many people are truly feeling the pain that affect their house budget . As a student I didn't have a lot of money and the cost of Fuel was always a major issue for me. I have learned many ways of saving money for gas and fuel by improving my Fuel mileage.

There are many things we can do, aside from going out and buying a more fuel efficient car, that will help us tremendously to cut down our Fuel expenses. Many require only minor adjustments to our driving style. I am going to mention some well known techniques That can help a lot to Save Fuel and Save Money .

Brake the right way

A car consumes most gas as it accelerates. A moving car doesn't require much Fuel to keep moving due to the inherent inertia. In real life this means, in order to improve our mileage we need to keep the ride smooth.

Turn off your air condition

Seems impractical in some areas , I would never dare to switch off the air condition of my car . However I also know that the compressor for the air conditioner loads the motor of my car more, which will reduce my fuel economy. I try not to use the air conditioner if I don't have to.

Try to Park car in the shade if we can so that we won't have to keep the AC working as hard when we go somewhere .Roll down the windows just a tiny bit , so the air can circulate through our car while we are parked .

Turn off the AC 5 minutes before we reach our destination and don't keep it working until the last second.

Shifting Manual

A manual transmission is truly fantastic. A manual transmission can be a lot more fuel efficient . If we have a manual transmission and want to save some gas, we need to shift up early and shift down late.

Shifting Automatic

If we have a cruise control and there isn't a whole lot of traffic, we probably should use it as it will keep the speed constant and hence doesn't need to accelerate . Use the overdrive gears, as this will generally keep our RPM down and our wallet happy. Shift into neutral when we are standing still to reduce transmission strain and cool off the transmission.

Reduce weight

Coming back to the force equals mass times acceleration. We already established that one shouldn't accelerate as much. We can also try to reduce the mass of our car by emptying out the trunk and removing heavy items that we don't need .

Turn the car off

When we turn on a car, it uses a bit of gas. When the car is idling, it uses a fixed amount of gas over a period of time . In most scenarios the energy balance will be positive if we turn off our car for more then 20 seconds.

That means we can save fuel if we turn off the car while waiting at long traffic light sequences, railroad crossings or while our better half pulls money from the ATM. Any time we can foresee that we will not be moving for more then 30s or 1minute we should turn off the engine to help our vacation budget.

Close windows

Opening our windows will increase the turbulences and eventually cost fuel. If we can , use only the ventilation system of our car. I cannot really gauge this against using the air conditioner. I believe that opening our windows at low speeds and using the air conditioner at high speeds gives a better fuel economy.

Pick a better route

Avoid heavy traffic and lots of traffic lights. The shortest route is not always the most fuel efficient if we have to stop a lot.

Carpool

If two people are riding in a car, the fuel used per person is immediately cut into half. If 4 people are sharing a ride, their individual fuel bill becomes only one third. Since they can now use carpool lanes, they won't have to spend as much time in traffic and get an even better gas mileage, plus they get home sooner.

Tags : Save fuel , save gas , save money on fuel and gas , Fuel economy , Save gas tips , Save fuel tips , Fuel efficient , Car Pool

Tips to Save Fuel and Money

2009-06-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Petrol , diesel price hike looks imminent !

In short days time we all will see the above sentence on almost all news channels and news papers . What is the reason behind that ? The answer is simple . Day by day the use of fuel is increasing and the availability is not that much to meet the needs . Lakhs of new vehicles are coming to roads everyday and thus results in more demand of fuels .So the common man will be asking what should be done to get rid off the hype . The government is making the decisions on fuel prices in consulatation with petroleum companies and so that cannot be altered by us . So that leaves us with two other options only , whether to use vehicles or not to use . It will be difficult for most of us to select the second path and so that leaves us with the first choice , use vehicle . That makes us think what are the ways with which we can overcome the price hype and that search results in one way only , Save Fuel .

Whether you drive expensive Suvs ' or economic vehicle , we can squeeze a little more distance if we keep a close eye on Fuel consumption and some Fuel saving Tips . Most tips given serve for a slight increase in MPG , but use of several together helps in covering more distance with good mileage .

We should be a smooth Operator , start vehicles gently and dont leave your automobile idling . Drive at posted speed limit and maintain a constant speed . Minimise the use of Air conditionings and park in shades inorder to avoid more AC useage .Use good quality and energy conserving oils in the engine with viscosity grade recommended in Owners guide .Make sure the vehicle is tuned for efficient running and use high quality fuel with Octane rating appropriate for your Automobile .

So Lets Join Together To Save Fuel and Economy

Drive Safe and Save Fuel

2009-06-23T20:44:00.000-07:00

Slow Drive

One of the best ways to save Fuel is to simply reduce our speed. As speed increases, fuel economy decreases exponentially. If you one of the "ten-over on the freeway" set, try driving the speed limit for a few days. We will save a lot of fuel and our journey won't take much longer. Aim to maintain a constant speed. Every time we pump the accelerator, we are pumping more fuel into the engine.

Air Filter Maintanence

A dirty air filter restricts the flow of air into the engine, which harms performance and economy. Air filters are easy to check and change; remove the filter and hold it up to the sun. If we can't see light coming through it, we need a new one.

Back to Nature

Consider shutting off the air conditioner, opening the windows and enjoying the breeze. It may be a tad warmer, but at lower speeds we will save fuel. That said, at higher speeds the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof. Minimize the use of the air conditioning system. Rather than run it continuously, use the vent setting as much as possible.

Purchase With Care

when we are going for a new car we should evaluate the pros and corns before making any final decision . Smaller cars are inherently more fuel-efficient, and today's small cars are roomier than ever . The automakers are designing their small cars to survive crashes with bigger vehicles, and safety features like side-curtain airbags and electronic stability control are becoming commonplace in smaller cars.

Accelerate with care

Start the car and immediately, but gently, drive away. Don't leave our car idling. Today's cars don't need to warm up. Start slowly, avoiding rapid acceleration. Jack-rabbit starts are terrible fuel wasters. If we drive an automatic, accelerate moderately so the transmission can shift up into the higher gears. Stick-shifters should shift early to keep the reverse down, but don't lug the engine . Keep an eye well down the road for potential slowdowns. If we accelerate to speed then have to brake right away, that's wasted fuel. Drive at posted speed limits - that's a tip that may save a life as well as fuel.

Wheel and Tyres

Have a professional align our front wheels. Wheels that are pointing in the same direction fight with each other, wasting fuel and tyres .Check our tire pressure. Under inflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. Also, underinflated tires wear rapidly. Check the vehicle's door-post sticker for minimum cold tire inflation pressure. Buy a reliable tire gauge and check our tires at least once a month. Be sure to check them when they are cold, since driving the car warms up the tires along with the air inside them, which increases pressure and gives a falsely high reading. Use the inflation pressures shown in the owner's manual or on the data plate in the driver's door jamb.

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Safety Tips on Buying Fuel and Automobiles

2009-06-23T20:32:00.000-07:00

Some Safety Measures

Choose before we buy. Prices can vary even between stations that sell the same brand.It is not very difficult to find a service station that sells our favorite brand a little cheaper. We can also save money by going to another brand of fuel. Avoid stations nearthe highway because their prices are usually higher.

Buy gasoline or diesel in the morning and dawn, when temperatures are lower, theyare more dense. Fuel pumps are measured and charged according to volume, not density.In the morning, the amount we buy will be more dense, so more gas for the same money.

Use our credit card as number of gas stations offer discounts of 5%.

Load petrol in crowded stations. Gas stations with great influx of customers filltheir tanks often. Stations with less traffic they do not so often, and so their tankscan contain a certain amount of old contaminated fuel. Gasoline oldest is in poor fuel economy and performance.

Turn 180 º nozzle of the pump to finish loading. This can add up to 120ml to our tank.If we place the car with the lid of the tank on the opposite side of the tank forced to pass the hose over the trunk. In doing so, the tube rises and falls throughout the gasoline that we pay, ensuring that remaining in the hose.

Stop using high-octane gasoline. The high-octane gasoline is more expensive than normal. If the engine of our car does not sound abnormal, use normal unleaded petrol.

Do not load the tank to overflow. The petrol pump needs time to draw the full amount we have requested. No it does when we load up to the edge. So, we are wasting money and fuel. Wait until the tank car is empty until at least halfway to refilling.

Avoid these to minimize fuel consumption:The use of roof racks, even though this gap may increase the normal consumption of the vehicle 2 to 35%

The use of air conditioning increases by 10-20% on fuel consumption. Be open windows increases air resistance of the vehicle, thereby increasing consumption, because it costs more work in the car ahead. Posed to 120 km / hr an increase of 7%. With the roof open up consumption can be increased by 10%

The tire pressure below normal consumption increases by the increased friction with the ground vehicle, in addition to wear over them.

In very short journeys consumption soars. In these cases it is advisable to use public transport.

Start engine without accelerating and begin running as soon as possible.Use long marches When you're speeding, we should switch to top gear as soon as possible and to reduce the slowest way possible.

Avoid high speeds with sharp accelerations and decelerations , anticipating situations and keep the speed constant. Each mile per hour in excess of 100 km / h, double the increase in per cent if we were to 100km / h.

Check vehicle gas caps - About 17 percent of the vehicles on the roads have gas caps thatare either damaged, loose or are missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gasto vaporize every year.

Make sure tires are properly inflated - When tires aren't inflated properly, it's like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.

Replace spark plugs regularly - A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs,which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles. That results in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug plus causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.

Replace dirty air filters - An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a "rich" mixture - too much gas being burned for the amount of air, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, saving about 15 cents a gallon.

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Tips for Drivers

2009-06-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Fuel-Saving Tips for Drivers

Have our car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of 1 mile per gallon.

Keep our tires properly inflated. Under inflated tired can decrease fuel economy by upto 1 mile per gallon.

Slow down. The faster we drive, the more gasoline our car uses. Driving at 65 milesper hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon.

Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.

Pace our driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon. Stay alert and drive steadily, not erratically. Keep areasonable, safe distance from the car ahead of you and anticipate traffic conditions.

Use our air conditioner sparingly. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2 miler per gallon under certain speeds and operating conditions. When you get to our destination, park in the shade to reduce the need for using the air conditioner.

Plan our trips in advance. Combine short trips into one to do all our errands. Avoid traveling during rush hours if possible, to reduce fuel-consumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling periods. Consider joining a car pool.

Turn off the engine in stops more than 1 minute

Avoid piling a lot of luggage on the roof rack. The added weight on the frontal area dragson the car and will hurt fuel economy.

Don't drive with our windows wide open. That increases aerodynamic drag at highway speeds and lowers fuel economy.

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Driving Tips To Save Fuel

2009-06-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

Some Driving Tips to Save Fuel

We can boost the overall fuel-efficiency of our automobile as much as 30% by simple vehicle maintenance and attention to our style of driving.

Here are some tips on fuel-efficient driving that will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, but could save hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

Avoid aggressive driving - "Jack-rabbit" starts and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. Tests show that "jackrabbit" starts and hard braking reduces travel time by only four percent, while toxic emissions were more than five times higher. The proper way is to accelerate slowly and smoothly, then get into high gear as quickly as possible. In city driving, nearly 50% of the energy needed to power our car goes to acceleration. Jerky acceleration or fast starts can increase fuel consumption by approximately one kilometer per litre in city driving.Accelerate briskly but smoothly upto 50 kph, then moderately up to 65kph. At this speed, keep a steady pressure on the accelerator – just enough to maintain speed.

Drive steadily at posted speed limits - Increasing our highway cruising speed from 55mph to 75mph can raise fuel consumption as much as 20%. We can improve our Fuel mileage 10 - 15% by driving at 55mph rather than 65mph .

Use your air conditioner sparingly - Using a vehicle’s air conditioner on a hot summer day can increase fuel consumption as much as 10% in city driving. If it’s cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation on our car instead of the air conditioner. At low speeds, opening the window will also save reduce fuel consumption by reducing A/C use. At higher speeds however, using the A/C may be more efficient than the wind resistance from open windows and sunroof.

Oil - Using the correct viscosity oil is important because higher viscosity oils have greater resistance to the moving parts of the engine, and therefore use more gas. Clean oil also contributes to better gas mileage. It is usually recommended that engine oil be changed every three to five thousand miles.

Monitor power accessories - Be sure to shut off all power-consuming accessories before turning off the ignition. That way, we decrease engine load the next time we start up. Items that plug into our vehicle's cigarette lighter, such as TV consoles for mini-vans and SUVs, can cause the alternator to work harder to provide electrical current. This adds a load to the engine and added load increases fuel use, decreasing our gas mileage.

Select the right gear - Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than we need wastes fuel; so does letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners.Skip a gear if we are on a flat road or slope.Run through all gears quickly and gently if going uphill.Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if we ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.

Use the cruise control - On long stretches of highway driving, cruise control can save fuel by helping our car maintain a steady speed.

Cold weather driving - Use a block heater when the winter temperature drops to -20°C or below. A block heater keeps our engine oil and coolant warm, which makes the vehicle easier to start and can reduce winter fuel consumption by as much as 10%. Use a timer to switch on the block heater one or two hours before you plan to drive.

Air filters - Dirty air filters can also cause our engine to run at less than peak efficiency Regular visual checks of the air filter will tell if it needs replacing and our owner's manual will also recommend appropriate replacement intervals. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10% increase in fuel consumption.

Driving Skills - The driving technique of the person behind the wheel is the single most important factor in determining the fuel economy of a particular car. A economy-conscious driver can achieve 30 to 50% better economy than most other drivers.

Hill-Climbing Techniques - Driving in hilly terrain consumes more fuel than driving on roads with no change of elevation. Build up speed before approaching a hill to avoid fuel-wasting hard acceleration while going up the slope.The momentum developed will carry the vehicle over the crest, and gravity will help the vehicle go down the other side. Do not, turn our engine off or leave it in neutral while going downhill, this can be dangerous.

Avoid Short Trips - Distances of 1 to 8 kilometers are considered short trips to drive to.Short trips take their toll on fuel economy due to cold vehicle parts, cold tyres and improper engine lubrication. It takes approximately 25 kilometers for a vehicle to achieve fuel efficient operation.

The 30-second Warm Up - Do not let our engine idle for more than 30 seconds after its initial start. Engines warm up faster when they are in motion.Idling for more than 30 seconds not only wastes fuel but also harms our engine, since the amount of lubricating oil being pumped to the engine’s various parts is the minimum when the engine is in neutral and idling.

Some Quick and Simple Fuel Saving Tips to Remember

Do not use the clutch too much.

Switch the vehicle off at red light stops.

Drive in gear corresponding to the speed.

Get your vehicle serviced regularly.

A poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by up to 50%

Driving at 90 kilometers an hour rather than 100 can reduce fuel consumption by 10%

Under inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by 5%

A loaded roof rack will increase fuel consumption by as much as 5% in highway driving.

Even an empty roof rack can increase consumption by 1%. If the carrier is not attached to the vehicle, remove it when not in use.

Avoid "Jack Rabbit" starts, not only do they increase fuel consumption, but are hard on your tires. Anticipating stops and avoiding abrupt stops will decrease fuel consumptionand increase the life of your brakes and tires.

Avoid unnecessary steering wheel movement since each sideward movement of the tire causes fuel-consuming drag. Maintain a steady speed.Accelerate slowly on gravel or slippery roads. Avoid unnecessary braking.

Reviving the engine just before turning off the ignition costs extra fuel and may causeengine damage.

Take advantage of rolling resistance rather than heavy braking to help slow you down.This deceleration technique is one of the best for fuel saving.

Avoid using the air conditioner at lower speeds.

Changing spark plugs regularly can save a lot.

Don't be an aggressive driver - Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets.

Avoid excessive idling - Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.

Observe the speed limit - Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Eachmile driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 to 34 cents per gallon. To maintaina constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended .

Whether we drive occasionally or everyday, we can decrease the amount of fuel we use by taking the steps mentioned above .

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