Green Living Tips to Save Gas and Money through better Car Maintenance
With the ever increasing price of fuel today, being green is not the only concern of car owners. When the price of filling the gas tank has tripled, it is time to consider all possible methods to conserve every ounce of fuel, and make every penny count.A well maintained car is a more fuel efficient car. Providing your car with regular checkups, tune ups, and oil changes increases gas mileage and lengthens the time between fill ups. Replacing air and fuel filters, changing spark plugs, and checking oxygen sensors, all contribute to better gas mileage. Anything that makes the car work harder to perform its job, inevitably causes more fuel usage. In fact, proper maintenance can make a 20 to 30 percent difference in overall fuel consumption.Tire pressure is vital for saving gas. Tires that are under inflated do not roll over the roads as well, causing the car to use more fuel. Not only are under inflated tires fuel wasters, lack of proper air pressure shortens the life of the tire, and may sometimes even become a safety issue.Good car maintenance is a money saver, but it needs to be coupled with conscientious driving habits to reap the maximum benefits. Don’t rev the engine while sitting at a red light, or when you first start the car. Use moderation when accelerating and when stopping. Abrupt starts and stops use excess gas. And, even though it may be tempting to let the car idle for fifteen minutes or so on a cold morning, you are burning fuel unnecessarily. Vehicles actually warm up faster once you are on the road. Shut the car off when waiting for someone, or when you are have to sit in line for any extended period of time.Use the cruise control whenever possible. Erratic driving habits and uneven speed uses more gas. That is why highway mpg ratings are better than those in the city. While it may seem like a minor concern, if you habitually carry a great many extras with you in the trunk that you don’t use, lighten the load. Extra weight means extra fuel consumption.Car pooling is still one of the best ways to cut down on gas usage and eliminate some unnecessary highway pollution. For all those other many trips that you need to take on a daily basis, try and consolidate. Make a list of places you need to go in one area and get all your errands done in one trip.Back in the day, cruising around, and long leisurely Sunday drives were the norm. Today, however, everything we can do to conserve fuel, and keep the gas budget within reason is crucial. All of the small changes we make when driving will add up to some savings in money and contribute to a more environmentally friendly world.
