Consider your driving habits and car maintenance
Brookhaven College automotive professor Shane Baxter offers some tips for getting more mileage out of your vehicle.
Tap into available resources.
Use the Internet to find additional
gas savings tips. Sites such as
gasbuddy.com or
MapQuest Gas Prices will help you find the gas station in your area with the lowest price.
Suggestions for Gas Economy
Automotive technology faculty member Shane Baxter recently visited with WFAA Channel 8 reporter Jeff Brady to offer drivers in Dallas some suggestions for gas economy. If you didn't catch the news story, here's a recap of what Professor Baxter had to say. Additional suggestions and specific details about many of these tips are available on
FuelEconomy.gov.
Drive the speed limit and curb the road rage.
Vehicles are designed to reach optimal fuel economy at 60 miles per hour. The faster you drive over this level, the more gas you're wasting. Rapid acceleration and braking also lower your gas mileage.
Maintain your vehicle.
Invest in your vehicle and keep your engine running smoothly. Check your tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower your gas mileage and are also a safety concern. You should go by the pressure listed for your car, not by what's on the tire. Be sure to check your air and fuel filters and replace them when they get dirty.
Put your car on a diet.
What's in your trunk? Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle. Excessive weight can reduce your mileage.
Use your cruise.
If your car has cruise control and you are driving on roads where you aren't starting and stopping frequently, turn on your cruise control to keep your vehicle at a constant speed when you drive on the highway.
Skip the extras.
Don't waste your money on additives, and use the manufacturer's recommended gas grade. It doesn't do any good to use a higher grade gasoline if your car's owner's manual or specifications doesn't recommend it.
AC is OK.
Late model vehicles are designed to use features such as air conditioning and sound systems efficiently and turning off the air won't use much extra gas. Your car's aerodynamics could be affected by opening windows, so go ahead and use the AC to beat the Texas heat this summer.
