I realize that with the recent drop in gasoline prices that
we have seen, conserving fuel is not something that is seriously on our minds.
Even though prices are at about a six year low, it is still important that we
should always try to conserve as much fuel as possible. It still keeps extra
money in our pockets, but more importantly, it is good for the environment and
it is good for our vehicles.
There are four main groups of ways
to conserve gas. First is the car we drive and how we take care of it. Secondly
we can look at ways to save on the cost of fuel. Third is to examine our
personal driving habits. And fourth is planning our trips. This week we will
look at the first and next week we will try to look at the other three.
Properly inflated tires can reduce
fuel consumption by up to 3%. Your tires also lose about 1 PSI per month, and
when the tires are cold (e.g., in the winter), their pressure will decrease due
to the thermal contraction of the air. It is recommended to check tires at
least monthly, preferably weekly. Having properly inflated tires will also help
you avoid uneven wear on the tread. Recommended inflation pressures are for
cold tires; put about 3 PSI more in if the tires have been driven on awhile.
Inflate to the pressure recommended by the car manufacturer, not the maximum
stamped on the tire.
A properly tuned engine maximizes
power and can greatly enhance fuel efficiency. Beware, though, that many tuners
will disable efficiency measures when tuning for power. When doing a tune up,
always check the air filter as a dirty filter will reduce fuel economy, or make
the engine stall when idling. Just like mowing dusty grass, driving dusty dirt
roads will clog the air filter: avoid dust clouds. Also, replace the fuel filter according to the car
manufacturer's recommended schedule. This will go a long way to
enhancing fuel efficiency.
Get the lightest car that will serve
your needs. Weight is one of the biggest causes for loss of kinetic energy in
non-hybrid cars. If you're not shopping for cars, then take any extra weight
off of the one you're already driving. If seats that you don't use can be
removed such as in a van or minivan, take them out. If you use your trunk as a
storage space for heavy things, find another place for them. An extra 100 pounds of weight increases fuel
consumption by 1-2%. (Weight is most important in stop-and-go driving. In almost exclusively highway driving, it
matters little: once the car is up to speed, it need only push air out of the
way.) Don't remove things from the car that you need frequently; instead, make
sure these are in the car and readily accessible because wasted trips to
retrieve or replace them will be much worse than a little lower mileage.
Another way to conserve gas is to
use the tire width that the tire manufacturer recommends. Narrow tires have less frontal area, thus
reducing aerodynamic drag. Remember, however, that narrow tires have less
traction as well (which is why race cars have such wide tires). Do not get a
tire that is incompatible with your wheels, and do not get smaller wheels unless
your manufacturer approves. Select low-rolling-resistance compound tires.
These can increase fuel economy by a few percent. (The difference is not startling
or a substitute for proper inflation. It would be wasteful to replace the
former tires with these before they are worn out.)
On fuel-injected cars, make sure the oxygen sensors, engine emissions
system, and evaporative emissions control systems are in good shape.
Often the "check engine light" coming on is an indication that there
is a problem with one of these components. A damaged oxygen sensor may cause
your car to have too rich of a fuel mixture, decreasing your fuel mileage by
20% or more.
