Brought to you by ASE – National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Every day seems to bring higher prices at the gas pump. Some commuters are sharing rides, others are taking public transportation. But if you are like countless others, you depend on your personal vehicle. So here are some easy-to-follow gas-saving tips from the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) on how to conserve fuel and make sure your car or truck gets optimal miles per gallon.
- Adjust tire pressures. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder.
- Remove excess weight. Check your trunk and back seat. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage.
- Consolidate trips and errands. Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can avoid stop-and-go conditions.
- Keep your engine “tuned up.” Replace filters and fluids as recommended; have engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration, etc.) corrected.
- Use windows and air conditioning wisely. Keep windows up at highway speeds to reduce air drag. This is true even with the air conditioning on.
- Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting.
- Observe speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.
- Drive gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually.