Currently, gas prices at the pumps fluctuate wildly and consumers feel they are being gouged. Motorists can expect gasoline prices to drift slightly lower over the rest of the summer, but most of the declines are over.
At Penske Automotive Group we would like to give you some fuel-efficient tips. Penske gas mileage tips can help you reduce the amount of gas you use. If you are already following these tips, you are probably getting the best gas mileage your car can deliver.
- Drive More Efficently
- Drive Sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
- Observe the Speed Limit. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Observing the speed limit is also safer.
- Remove Excess Weight. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle’s weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
- Avoid Excessive Idling. Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear.
- Use Cruise Control. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
- Use Overdrive Gears. When you use overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
- Keep Tour Car In Shape
- Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. If you need help with this stop by your neighborhood Penske Parts and Service Center.
- Keep Tires Properly Inflated. You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner’s manual.
- Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil. You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.
- Planning and Combining Trips
- Combining errands into one trip saves you time and money. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
- Commuting. There are lots of options available. stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours. Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your employer permits it. Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. Consider using public transit if it is available and convenient for you.
- Traveling. When you hit the road for this summer’s road trip use a roof rack or carrier provides additional cargo space and may allow you to meet your needs with a smaller car. However, be careful a loaded roof rack can decrease your fuel economy by 5 percent. And avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 lbs in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
Try out this neat tool as well –it’ll tell you were the cheapest gas is in your area. http://gasprices.mapquest.com/ Happy Driving from Penske Automotive Group!
