Be Savvy on Saving Fuel - Try These Techniques For Getter More Miles Per Gallon

How about getting more miles per gallon the easy way? Anything easy sounds great. Here are two simple ways of getting more miles per gallon, and two not-so-simple ways. As you can imagine, the easy stuff has limited return on investment, and the more difficult ways also have the greatest potential for improved miles per gallon and using less gas.

Here are the easy ones:

• Keep your car serviced - for all vehicles, this means a clean air filter and fuel filter so the engine isn't working harder to draw in air, and fuel delivery is optimal for complete combustion. For older vehicles, this means a regular tune-up to ensure proper timing of the ignition. For any vehicle, it means keeping a close eye on your fuel economy. Any unexplained decrease in miles per gallon means you need to have your car serviced to recapture its peak efficiency.
• Learn when to use the air conditioning - and when to shut it off. If comfort permits, leave the AC off, especially at low speeds where an open window can be a more efficient way to stay cool. At higher speeds, the AC is a better choice than open windows that create drag. Also, shut off the AC for the last mile or so of travel to reduce drag on the engine. Just use the fan to extract residual cooling capacity from the heat exchanger without using the AC compressor.

Now here are the more difficult suggestions to implement:

• Change work hours - to avoid congestion that decreases the miles per gallon you get from your vehicle. Instead of plodding along, perhaps you could sail through normally congested areas more efficiently by missing the heavy commuter traffic. All it takes is an altered work schedule. If your type of work is conducive to a flexible schedule, why not at least ask for a change in work hours to help reduce the cost of the commute?
• Relocate to another area or change jobs - to avoid traffic that is otherwise unavoidable. Taking advantage of "counter-commute" or an office located in an area with little traffic congestion can make a big difference in your miles per gallon. This isn't something I'd suggest based on its own merits alone, but if a change in location or employment is on the table already, I would see about making it a more efficient commute while I was at it.

These ideas for more miles per gallon should give you something to think about and put into practice. I know they work well for me, and I hope you can make them work for you too.

Clair Schwan is an expert in frugal living, and has 38 ways to save gas, get better gas mileage and purchase cheaper fuel. See his gas saving ideas and more frugal living tips at http://www.frugal-living-freedom.com

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By Clair Schwan