Two-thirds of the U.S.'s total oil consumption is alloted to transportation. Mainly, it is in the form of gasoline. On an average, an individial consumes around 500 gallons gas in a year, and that is in America alone. With the fluctuating cost of fuel and the increasing environmental concerns, saving energy resources by becoming a responsible driver has become a staple. Consider these tips that can heighten your car's fuel efficiency, which in effect, can also save energy...
Proper Driving
Lighten up. Remove unnecessary things from your car. Extra weight consumes fuel.
Avoid idling. Driving 0 miles per hour doesn't mean that you don't consume fuel. A car engine that is running consumes fuel whether it is moving or not. Do not waste fuel by idling to preheat your engine. Once you start your engine, drive.
Turn off your engine if you are stuck on traffic. This makes hybrid cars so fuel efficient. Hybrid cars automatically shut off its engine when at full stop, eliminating the fuel consumption caused by idling.
Go inside the restaurant instead of doing a drive thru. Park your car and turn off the engine. Small acts can actually amount to huge savings.
Use your cruise control if your vehicle has one. Activating this feature enables you to maintain a constant speed and of course, to save on fuel.
Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving, abrupt acceleration, speeding and hard braking lower your fuel efficiency by as much as 33% in the highway and 5% in the city.
Furthermore, do not drive higher than 60 miles per hour, doing so decreases your fuel efficiency.
If you are driving a car with manual transmission, shift to the highest drivable gear. High gear at low speed requires less pressure on the gas pedal compared to low gear at high revolution.
Calculate your breaking distance. Avoid accelerating if you know that you are about to slow down or when you are near a full stop. Excessive breaking is an aftermath of accelerating excessively. Also, turn your air-conditioner off whenever possible. This system increases your gasoline consumption by 15%. For packing huge stuffs, use the car's trunk or the back of your car. Using your roof's rack produces drag and reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 5%. Moreover, observe the recommended tire pressure of your car's manufacturer.
If you can afford the cost, switch to hybrid cars. They have higher fuel economy than regular gasoline-engine vehicles. Also, hybrid cars have no- or low-emission rating which helps reduce carbon dioxide emission. Electric cars and other vehicles that run on alternative energy are better choices if you want to save on fuel and help the environment.
A car that is light, aerodynamic and has a small engine maximizes fuel efficiency. Hence, when you are planning to to buy a car, remember these 3 vital elements that are found in small cars, and not those gas-hungry SUVs.
Car Maintenance
Replace or clean your air filters regularly. Clogged filters prevent air to enter the cylinder which results to poor car performance and more fuel consumption.
Make sure that your wheels are properly aligned.
Schedule your car to regular tune up. Have your oil changed and checked for maintenance. This kind of practice frees your car from transmission concerns, dragging brakes, low transmission fluids or worn spark plug.
Try carpooling, telecommuting or public transit to reduce fuel consumption and maintenance cost.
Utilize the right type of oil for you vehicle.
Saving energy resource always starts at home and progresses on the road. Utilize these tips and make it a habit as it will help you save money and save the environment.
Author Resource:
Improve your car's efficiency by applying these free driving tips from Earth for Energy . To learn more about Taylor Nelson's and his website visit FastVideoReviews.com .