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12 Tips for How to Stretch a Tank of Gas

posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 11, 2008 1:45 am
12 Tips for How to Stretch a Tank of Gas
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Adapted from 547 Ways to be Fuel Smart, by Roger Albright.

We can conserve gas with some car maintenance steps. For example, we can get 6 to 20 percent higher mpg with a properly tuned engine. Keeping a mileage record will tell us when our gas mileage is slipping, which is a signal for a tune-up.

Here are 12 more tips for how to stretch a tank of gas.

1. You can easily take care of a few items without going to a service station. One of them is the air filter. A clogged air filter leaves your engine gasping for breath and means you’re probably running with a “rich” mixture, that is, more gas and less air. Many department and auto stores carry air filters, and they are simple to change. A clogged air filter can cost you 1 mpg. Replace your air filter regularly.

2. Dirty oil cuts back engine efficiency, so make sure your oil is changed according to the car manufacturer’s recommended schedule. You can change your own, and buying your own oil is much cheaper. There’s a drain plug under your engine that will come out readily with a wrench. Have a bucket ready to catch the dirty oil, and remember to dispose of it safely.

3. If your fan belt is too tight, your engine is working too hard and wasting gas. The belt should give a little to finger pressure when the engine is not running. if it doesn’t, you can easily adjust the tension with a wrench.

4. Badly worn spark plugs can cost you as much as 2 mpg. This is probably a job for a trained technician.

5. The car has been a way of life for most Americans. There are alternatives. These include mass transit, bike paths, and carpools.

6. Heavier cars are more costly to run. A reduction of 200 pounds in automotive weight typically improves fuel economy by nearly 5 percent.

7. Use the air conditioner in your car as little as possible. It uses a lot of gas. Roll down the windows and get some fresh air!

8. Using cruise control can save gas. If you drive on the open road often, staying at a constant speed will save fuel.

9. If you are taking a trip, start early in the day while traffic is light. Plan to stop for meals at times when traffic is heavy.

10. Don’t let your car idle for a long time to warm it up. Also, don’t let your car idle for more than a minute after it is warmed up—this idling wastes more gas than restarting your car.

11. Do not rev the engine and then quickly shut your car off. This wastes gas. It also pumps raw gasoline into the cylinder walls. This can wash away a film of oil that protects the cylinders and will increase engine wear.

12. Check your tires. Your owner’s manual has important information on your tires, including the correct air pressure that should be in them. Underinflation of your tires can cost you as much as 1 mpg. Radial tires have 50 percent less road resistance, so they give you 3 to 19 percent better mpg.

More on Reduce, Recycle & Reuse (78 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3174 articles available)

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547 Ways to be Fuel Smart

The rising costs and shortages of oil, gasoline, natural gas, and electricity are front-page news. Instead of joining the panic, take effective action that will bring your household fuel costs under control with simple projects you can do right now to save money. buy now
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42 comments

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42 Comments       add a comment »
Ratty Ratman


Recycle your oil, and if you take your car somewhere to have it changed, make sure they recycle it, and if they don't, tell the manager why you are going elsewhere and let them know that a lot of people care about it but most don't bother to mention it, so if they recycle it, they can actually gain business by advertising that they do.

Ronanki Gopalakrishna

I use less AC only in summer when ambient temparatures are high or during rain when the windows become very foggy, good driving habits make big difference and corrctley inflated tyres and maintenance at the intervels recommended, special fuels as Speed Power doesnot make difference though expensive marginally. In the near future i will go for a e bike which does not consume fuel

Jeanette Diaz

The no AC rule is more effective for large trucks, vans, and SuVs with bigger cabins. If you have anything sedan-sized or smaller, rolling down your windows as opposed to air conditioning affects the aerodynamic flow of air and increases drag, and then negatively affects gas mileage. Turning it on and then turning it off after 3 or 4 minutes works for me. I hope this helps.

Thanks for those other tips! I hadn't thought of air filters, spark plugs, or anything else beyond the oil change!

Gale I.
  • Gale I. says
  • Jun 19, 2007 11:29 AM

Awesome tips, and I sure needed them...thank u :)

Kelli Stowe

Thank you for the great tips.

Sue Lampard

Brilliant tips thank you !

Odess Moondragon

My husband and I have started making changes to conserve. I was driving a large pickup V8 and have parked it and I'm driving a 6 cylinder, lighter weight vehicle. My retired husband has limited his driving to only when necessary. I plan errands with locations in mind to prevent back tracking. Our daughter rides her bicycle to local retailers, luckly we live close to a shopping center, pharmacy and grocery. It will take effort by us all to improve situations a little at a time.

John Foley

About the A.C. vs. open window comment. From what I understand, it is more efficient to use the A.C. and close the windows while driving at higher speeds. When driving at higher speeds with the windows open, the car has a lot of drag because it creates almost a constant air brake because while circulating the outside air with the inside air. At lower speeds it is more fuel efficient to open the windows and not use the A.C.

CD W.
  • CD W. says
  • Jun 6, 2007 9:52 PM

Every day I bike or walk to work (fortunately, I live 1/3 mi away) & the only time it's a drag is if we get rain. On the bike I see a lot more detail on the "commute"!!!

amber r.

great to know. my diesel truck runs on 100%recycled vegetable oil. free fuel and better than using petro! thank goodness for alternetive energies!!

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