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Gas prices may be going down (I don't know when this video was made, since mentioned "sky high" gas prices), but that's no reason to stop trying to save gas. You might be able to afford more gas than you could a month ago, but the environment can't afford us increasing our gas just because it's cheaper.
If you can't watch or don't want to watch the video, here is a summary of the tips:
It is important to make sure your gas cap is locked and intact. Last year 147 million gallons of gas evaporated because of loose, missing, or broken gas caps.
Keeping your tire pressure optimal is a good way to save on gas and increase your gas mileage. Learn the optimal PSI for your car by checking inside your driver's door, gas door, or owner's manual. Use a digital tire pressure gage or a dial gage to check your tire pressure, they are the most accurate. Check your tire pressure in the morning, before you drive, when the tires are cool. By checking your tire pressure once a month and maintaining optimal pressure, you can increase your fuel economy by one to two MPG.
Keep your trunk empty when possible. Trunks loaded with heavy items will decrease your gas mileage. So will, idling, so skip the drive-through and turn the car off if you will be idling for more than a couple minutes.
Basic maintenance of your car is important for keeping it functioning properly and for keeping your gas mileage from dropping. Replace your car's air filter every 6 months and check and maintain your spark plugs regularly.
Use synthetic oil in your car. It doesn't use fossil fuels, it increases your fuel economy by 2-3%, and it lowers your emissions by 2-3%.
8 Responses
1
Andrew
November 12th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
The this statement: Use synthetic oil in your car. It doesn't use fossil fuels, it increases your fuel economy by 2-3%, and it lowers your emissions by 2-3%. Is not 100% true. Yes fuel economy goes up, and emissions go down due to reduced friction. That part that is not true is synthetic oil is made from crude oil. A quick search on yahoo answers I have found this:
Synthetic oil is made from oil but has been chemically changed into a much more durable molecule. It can resist higher temperatures without thermal breakdown and resist much higher shear forces than conventional oil.
and...
Synthetic oil is oil consisting of chemical compounds which were not originally present in crude oil (petroleum) but were artificially made (synthesized) from other compounds. Synthetic oil could be made to be a substitute for petroleum or specially made to be a substitute for a lubricant oil such as conventional (or mineral) motor oil refined from petroleum. When a synthetic oil is made as a substitute for petroleum, it is generally produced because of a shortage of petroleum or because petroleum is too expensive. When synthetic oil is made as a substitute for lubricant refined from petroleum, it is generally because of superior properties of the synthetic oil. Synthetic motor oil is often synthesized from reactants (feedstocks) derived from petroleum, but the compounds in the synthetic motor oil have different molecular structures from those originally in petroleum.
So yes the synthetic oil is good old fashioned crude oil with additives. Wikipedia will show similar results as well, as a true synthetic oil is not suitable to be used in a automobile engine.
2
Stefanie
November 12th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Andrew, I have not done the research myself on what synthetic oil is made of, I was just summarizing what the woman in the video said. Either way, you need to change your oil less with synthetics, thus use less and waste less.
3
KeeKee
November 12th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The most important point is to keep your car running in top condition I think.
4
Chief
November 12th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
These are all pretty good tips. I began "hypermiling" this year and have increased my mileage from around 20-21 mpg to over 26 mpg. One of the best tips is to accelerate smoothly and anticipate stops so you can coast to them rather than braking suddenly. I'd also recommend getting an instantaneous fuel economy gauge. It will show you exactly what to do to increase miles per gallon.
5
Air Jordans
November 12th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Keeping the trunk empty is a great tip!
I'd also like to add that I love the NGC! So informative!
6
wilson
November 15th, 2008 at 5:55 am
Most of the people think that the 2-3% is only a very small amount, but if everybody can reduce 2-3% of fuel economy and CO2 emission, it will help us to save money and the Earth as well!
7
Stefanie
November 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
KeeKee, very true. If your car is not maintained, none of the other tips will matter.
Chief, accelerating smoothly is very important. When I first got my car, I needed to get used to it's touchy gas pedal, but once I did, I saw my fuel economy get much better. My husband's car has a built in instantaneous fuel economy gauge... and you're right, it does help you learn what to do and not to do to increase your gas mileage.
Air Jordans, not many people would even consider a full trunk as an issue!
Wilson, that is very true. It may only be a little bit, but a lot of little bits adds up to a lot!
8
pontiac performance parts
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 am
These are very useful tips which I am sure anyone can use. As for me I use my bike as often as I can, that way I save up on gas and help lessen pollution too.