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The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to
change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories
are 30 effective methods of doing so... no need to buy
expensive add-on equipment.
ENGINE WARM-UP
1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold
mornings.
2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm
up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.
3. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for
one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you
start the engine.
4. Avoid "revving" the engine, especially just before you switch
the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down
from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.
5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting
from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than ¼ of the
total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak
efficiency.
HOW TO BUY GASOLINE
6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or
late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep
in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities
of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of
measurement".
7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands
provide you with greater economy because of better quality.
Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.
8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing
over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of
fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.
HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY
9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous
wind resistance.
10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for
your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs.
Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when
compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.
11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45%
more fuel than is needed.
12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear
as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it
along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down",
premature wearing of engine parts occurs.
13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds.
Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel.
Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable.
Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows
down unexpectedly.
15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it
before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.
GENERAL ADVICE
16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals
while driving.
The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on
components, wearing them down prematurely.
This "dragging" also demands additional fuel usage.
17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible,
because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of
your gas mileage.
18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter,
straighter. Compare traveling distance differences -
remember that corners, curves and lane jumping
requires extra gas. The shortest distance between
two points is always straight.
19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring
advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed
limit you boost your chances of having the "green
light" all the way.
20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to
cool down when your car is idling at a standstill,
e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place
gear into neutral position. This reduces
transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.
21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in
forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to
save gas.
22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check
owner's manual for recommended maintenance
intervals. Special attention should be given to
maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow
increases gas waste.
23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for
occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad
shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag
and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.
24. Remove snow tires during good weather
seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs
fuel!
25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire
should be periodically spun, balanced and checked
for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get
large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs
are the recognized fuel-savers; check
manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire
pressures.
26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag.
Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow
around a car's body. Bear in mind when buying
new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb
smooth air flow (and mileage).
27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy
by 10% to 20%.
Heater fan, power windows and seats increase
engine load; the more load on your engine, the less
miles per gallon.
28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of
car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy
parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially
when driving up inclines.
29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas
expense - all riders chip in to help you buy.
Conversation helps to keep the driver alert.
Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the
driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady
speed" economy. For best results, distribute
passenger weight evenly throughout car.
30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to
car frame.
Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated!
Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind
resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on)
will eliminate it fast.
EXTRA TIPS
Install pressure regulator valve (sold in auto parts stores)... Use
graphite motor oil... Beware of oil additives, regardless of
advertising claims... Add Marvel Mystery Oil into gas fill-ups...
Investigate fuel/water injection methods and products... combine
short errands into one trip... Use special gas additives to prevent
winter freezing of gas lines... convert your V8 engine over to a
V4 - no special kits needed!!!
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