As gasoline prices soar this summer, it’s the perfect time to make a few adjustments with your vehicle to improve your fuel economy.
There are easy solutions for getting more out of your tank, like speeding less and avoiding the aggressive driving. But other than driving less, few people know the best ways to improve fuel economy.
To get more miles out of your gas choose the right fuel for your vehicle, perform regular maintenance and use the recommended motor oil for your engine.
Choosing the right gasoline for your vehicle
Some people believe choosing a higher grade of gasoline will improve their fuel economy, but it’s largely a myth. If your vehicle is only designed to run on regular-grade fuel, then choosing premium fuel will not improve your fuel economy. In fact, using premium fuel may damage your vehicle’s internal components.
Even if your vehicle is designed for premium fuel, you can still use regular gasoline, which still works quite well with your type of engine. For the most part, however, a premium fuel requirement limits you to the more powerful and more expensive options.
Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle
Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle will ensure it runs smoothly, while showing a noticeable improvement in fuel economy. It’s best to jump on any issues with your vehicle right away, rather than letting them deteriorate.
Probably the easiest maintenance solution starts with properly inflating your tires. Low tire pressure can mean lots of resistance against your tires as you drive. The right tire pressure ensures your wheels make good contact with the ground. You can even do this at home — there are plenty of helpful tools and gadgets to tell how much your tires must be inflated.
How you operate your vehicle also has an effect beyond your driving habits. Accelerating or braking hard can harm fuel economy, as well as causing general issues for your vehicle. Shift gears smoothly, especially on the highway. Shifting to higher gears sooner than you normally would during highway driving can improve fuel economy.
Choosing the right kind of motor oil
There’s a lot of clever marketing behind different brands of motor oil, particularly with claims that you’ll see vast improvements in your fuel economy. Most brands of motor oil, however, aren’t tested on your model of vehicle.
Bottom line, though, older oil can wreak havoc on your mileage. Dirt and acid can create sludge, which clogs the oil’s flow through your vehicle. You want oil flowing to your engine quickly.
Using the motor oil your vehicle manufacturer recommends is vital to your fuel economy. It’s the only brand of motor oil guaranteed to have been tested on your vehicle. It ensures that your vehicle will run at its best with fewer problems. This can also improve your gas mileage by up to two per cent, which will add up in the long run.
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