Basic Fuel Economy Tips: #1 Have the correct vehicle for the Job!

Fuel economy has defiantly become a key term in today's car market.　　Economy and efficiency has become one of the key marketing and advertising strategies of the major car　manufactures, reflecting the importance consumers have placed upon this feature.　 So do you go out and buy one of these efficient cars and automatically experience these wonderful advertised efficiency rates? Usually the answer is no!

There are many different things that one must do in order to maximize the fuel economy of your car. Driving habits and vehicle maintenance are of critical importance; simply buying a vehicle based upon the fuel consumption rate specs is not going to translate into efficiency. As an example,　you buy a little 4 cylinder for the fuel economy but use it to commute regularly up steep mountains, which　you insist on taking a break neck speed. Do you really think that at the end of the day you are going to save fuel compared to a more powerful　6 cylinder? Your little engine will be operating at maximum rpm to haul itself up those hills　where a larger engine would only be operating, and consuming petrol, at a slightly higher rate than normal! So keep　in mind what you are going to　use your vehicle for and how　you are going to drive it.

Beyond the basics of having a vehicle to suit your purposes here are a couple of little tips on increasing your fuel economy regardless of what type you drive.

1. Keep your speed as steady as you can. When your vehicle is at speed if requires less fuel than when it is accelerating.

2. Avoid unnecessary rapid accelerations or decelerations. If you coast up to a red light maybe your timing will be so good you don't actually have to stop? Also if you punch the gas... as fun as that is... you are tossing fuel away.

3. Tire pressure. Keep your pressure at the recommended level! Unless you are a snow or mud bogger, always keep your tires at recommended pressure.

4. Don't keep useless stuff in your car! Weight is bad in terms of fuel economy. If you’re not going golfing again till next week, ditching the clubs in the garage will probably save you enough to cover half your first beer.

5. Windows! Open windows create drag, thereby making your engine work harder to move you forward. Close them if you are travelling　over 50km/h.

6. Take off that roof rack if you don't need it. Unless you’re actually using it, all it is doing is adding weight and drag.

7. Tread. Again me and my tire babble. If you have good tread you don't spin out as much. Spinning out i.e. loosing traction costs you gas.

8. Keep your car in good repair. CLEAN AIRFILTERS, CLEAN CAR, GOOD SUSPENSION, CLEAN FUEL FILTERS ect. Everything under your hood contributes to the efficiency of your vehicle. Combustion is dependant on fuel and air. Make sure both systems are operating well.