With gas prices rising, everyone wants a vehicle with good gas mileage. But most people don’t realize there are ways to increase your miles per gallon by the way you drive and the pressure of your tires.
To help increase your MPG, have your tire pressure to be the maximum pressure available. The car may ride a bit stiffer than you’re used to, but it will roll a lot easier, thereby putting less strain on the engine. Under inflated tires offer much more rolling resistance than properly inflated tires do.
Keep your foot off the gas as much as possible. Whenever possible try to increase speed gradually and slowly. Pick a spot to merge into traffic before you feel the need to speed and merge in. Try keeping at the speed limit or below the speed limit to reduce the use of gas.
Slow down sooner then usual when coming to a stop sign or red light. If your tire pressure is up, your vehicle will coast longer to a stop. Again, keeping your foot off the gas less will increase your MPG.
When going up long hills or grades take your car out of overdrive until you reach the top of the hill. If you leave it in overdrive when climbing a hill you will have to put your foot into the gas more to keep your momentum up.
When going down a hill or grade, keep your car in neutral and coast. If it’s a steep downgrade leave it in gear and coast that way. The transmission will help slow you down a little on steep downgrades, but in any event try to keep your foot out of the gas for as long as you can.
Keep these tips in mind, the next time you go on a drive. You are gaurunteed to keep a few more bucks in your pocket.
