An Oil Change Is Just One Way to Get Better Gas Mileage

Did you know that getting an oil change can improve your gas mileage? This and many other small tips can help you get more out of each dollar you spend on gas.

There are many ways to improve the gas mileage on your car. Getting an oil change is one of them, but not the only one. If you want to get the most for your gas money, keep these tips in mind.

Proper Maintenance

Proper maintenance, including having your oil change done regularly, focusing on tune ups when they need to be done, and having your tires in proper balance, is one of the most important things you can do to improve your gas mileage. When your car is working at its best, the gas will go as far as possible. Some problems that seem small can make a huge difference in your gas mileage. A dirty air filter can lower your gas mileage by 20 percent, and tires that are not properly balanced and inflated can lower gas mileage by a full 25 percent.

Buy a Fuel Efficient Car

Buying a fuel efficient car is one of the most important things you can do to improve fuel efficiency. When you are in the market for a new vehicle, make sure you shop around to find something that gets great gas mileage. The payout over the life of the car is definitely worth the time it takes to research this information.

Reducing Drag

Drag is air resistance against your car. If you can reduce drag, you will increase your gas mileage. Bike racks, luggage racks, and other things strapped to the top of the car are going to increase drag. Take it off if you want to improve your gas mileage. You can also improve drag by adding things that make your car more streamlined.

Lighten Up the Load

If you regularly haul things you do not need in your trunk, take them out. Every 250 pounds your car has to haul will cause a loss of one mile per gallon. Those bowling balls, tools, and other heavy items can actually impact your gas mileage. Carry only the things that you must carry.

Buy Gas on Wednesdays

Did you know that Wednesdays, statistically speaking, are the cheapest days to buy gas? If you fill up weekly, plan to have your fill up day be Wednesday. Over the year you will pay less for gas. This will not necessarily improve your gas mileage like an oil change, but it will help you pay less for gas.

Buy Gas When It is Cool

One of the less obvious tricks is to buy gas when it is cool, such as early in the morning or after the sun sets. Gasoline at these times will be denser. This means your car will get more out of each gallon. Remember, you are charged not by the concentration, but by the volume of measurement.

So the next time you fill up on a Wednesday or head in for your regular oil change, remember that you are doing something for yourself by stretching your gas dollar further.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR