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 Better Gas Mileage

Several simple steps for saving fuel:

• Drive moderately, avoid hard acceleration and include more coasting in your driving habits
• Stick to the speed limit— or less
• Avoid idling, idling your engine equals zero gas mileage
• Get your car aligned. Excess toe in or toe out, either front or rear adds drag which requires more engine power to overcome. Ask your alignment mechanic to set the toe at as close to zero as your car’s specs allow.
• Keep your tires inflated at the high end of what your car’s manufacturer suggests. These specifications can be found on the vehicle information label, usually located on the driver’s door or “B” pillar* or on older cars, on the passenger (right),** side door or pillar. Tires also have the maximum pressure and load printed on the sidewall.  (this is often higher than manufacturer specs). Typically, for cars, 35psi is a good starting point.
• Don’t carry around extra stuff. Every additional pound requires the engine to work harder to get moving.

* pillars are the vertical supports found on either side of the doors. They are listed alphabetically, front to rear, so the “B” pillar is the one directly behind the front door, on each side.

**Right and left on a vehicle are always as if you are in the driver’s seat facing forward. For U.S. cars, driver’s side is left, however, in England and some other countries the passenger side is on the left— go figure.

Have you got any suggestions for reducing fuel consumption? Send them in and I will post them.  Walt