By Chandra Orr, Copley News Service
Turning a gas guzzler into a fuel-efficient ride is often as simple as giving it a little TLC.
Driving slower and smoother, performing routine maintenance and improving the aerodynamics of the vehicle are paramount to making those fuel dollars go further, according to Trisha Hessinger, Firestone Tire & Service Center's national spokeswoman.
"You can save quite a bit by just smoothing out the acceleration process," Hessinger said. "By not going flat to the floor with the accelerator when taking off from a stop, you can definitely improve fuel efficiency." She also recommends taking a slower approach once the vehicle is in motion.
"If you drop your speed 5 mph to 10 mph below the speed limit, you might see as much as a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency," she said. "Certainly, dropping from 70 mph to 60 mph is going to make a significant improvement. "Also, set the cruise control. A consistent driving speed is going to be more efficient than slowing down and speeding up and so on. It just helps make you a smoother driver."
A good tune-up goes a long way toward stretching a fuel budget, but nothing is more important than maintaining proper tire pressure, according to Hessinger.
"Perhaps one of the most overlooked areas is tire pressure," she said. "You tend to lose one 1 pound of pressure per month."
Even a slight loss in tire pressure creates resistance, which makes the engine have to work that much harder to push the vehicle forward. "It should really be a ritual -- once a month check the tires cold and fill them to the correct pressures," Hessinger said. "Don't use the pressures on the tire themselves. Use the pressure recommended for that vehicle in the owner's manual.
"Beyond the tires, keeping the vehicle running efficiently involves several things," Hessinger said. "It means taking care of preventive maintenance and scheduled maintenance -- and keeping the vehicle tuned up according to the manual."
Regularly changing all fluids and filters is imperative to getting the best possible gas mileage, she said, but the key is keeping an eye on the fuel filter.
Many drivers tend to overlook fuel filter changes, as the scheduled intervals are quite generous, she said.
"Fuel filter intervals are much further apart, often every 36,000 to 48,000 miles. But if that filter is not changed, then you accumulate a lot of dirt and debris -- just the sediment that tends to accumulate in the fuel tank over time. You can actually get that dirt and debris passing through the filter, which really causes havoc with the fuel injectors -- and that's definitely going to cause problems with your engine and make it run less efficiently."
"Another area that most people do not think about is aerodynamics," Hessinger said. "Given the vehicle you have, try to think of things that will make your car more aerodynamic, like keeping it clean and waxed.
"Also, roof racks are quite common, yet 90 percent of people never use them," she said. "You may want to remove the roof rack because it creates air turbulence. Not only will your vehicle be more aerodynamic, but it may be quieter as well."
While popular opinion dictates driving with the windows down and the air conditioning off to save on fuel, Hessinger claims the opposite is in fact more economical.
"Anytime you run with the windows open, it reduces aerodynamics. You want the windows up and the AC on low."
To reduce drag even more, drivers should lighten the load in the back of pickups, sport utility vehicles and station wagons, according to Hessinger.
"How necessary is all that junk in back? If you can lighten the load a little bit and take out the things that aren't necessary, that helps out a great deal in terms of fuel efficiency," she said. "All these things with aerodynamics, when you look at them cumulatively, they have a big impact."
Drivers inclined to pass by the pump, hoping to wait out the small, day-to-day spikes in gas prices, should take note: Never wait too long to fill up.
"Most people tend to wait until the reserve light comes on," Hessinger said. "It really is best not to let the tank get that low. The fuel filter then takes in sediment and that kind of muddies up everything. Fill up at a quarter tank rather than wait until the fuel light comes on."
To Contact Trisha:
phone: 610.554.6929
cell: 610-390-1919
fax: 610.916.8893
email: TAHgo4it@AOL.com
1303 Pleasant Hill Road
Fleetwood, PA 19522
USA
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