Whether you drive a minivan, large SUV or a compact car, chances are you’re hoping to pinch a bit more mileage out of each litre of gasoline.
At today’s high gas prices, a savings of just a few kilometres per litre can help you save money.
While individually most of the below tips will provide you with a slight bump in kilometres per litre, when used collectively, you’ll save at the gas pump.
• Keep your vehicle light. Just by removing excess weight from your vehicle could increase your mileage.
• Park your car in the shade. Did you know that the heat of the summer sun can cause small amounts of fuel in your gas tank to evaporate into thin air? Park your vehicle in the shade if you can’t park it in a garage. Fuel can also evaporate from a loose gas cap, so be sure you tighten it up after pumping gas.
• Turn off the AC. Fuel economy is affected substantially by air conditioning. Many car air conditioning systems have a setting for economy, which causes unchilled air to circulate. Some vehicles have an air “recirculation” centre that decreases the amount of outside hot air that needs to be cooled. Either way, both save gas.
• Drive in a sensible manner. Driving sensibly includes refraining from speeding, avoid idling, resisting rapid acceleration and foregoing constant breaking. Of course, driving sensibly is a great way to drive safely.
• Combine trips. A warm engine uses fuel more efficiently than a cool engine. If possible, combine several shorter trips together.
• Keep tires at proper air pressure. Low tires can increase your litres per km, in addition to prolonging your tire life.
• Utilize your vehicle’s overdrive gears. Your motor vehicle’s engine speed decreases when you drive with overdrive gearing. Not only does this save fuel, but reduces engine wear. In addition, utilize cruise control to further save on unnecessary fuel loss.
• Avoid topping off. While tempting to squeeze in the last drop of gas when pumping, topping off can cause the fuel in a too-full gas tank to splash around within the tank causing gas to seep out. Therefore, when the gas pump nozzle clicks off, it is time to stop pumping.
-Submitted by Sgt. Brian Herrick