Hit the Road
In some cases a four-wheel drive is the only viable option for a family to drive. It is not a matter of luxury, but a necessity. These vehicles are typically heavy and get notoriously poor gas mileage. The key to making this a little less costly is to control the things you can, to get better gas mileage.~ Use a good grade of gasolineFour-wheel drive vehicles come with a recommendation on the grade of fuel that is to be used. It is wise to follow those recommendations. It helps cover the warranty issues and it is recommended for the best gas mileage.~Reduce idling timeWhile it is important for a vehicle to warm up and get the oil back in the engine, too much idling simply wastes gas. Instead of using the drive up window, avoid idling time by parking and going in. If you are waiting for the kids to come out of school. Turn off the engine.~ Keep speed consistentA consistent speed gives the best gas mileage. The more you have to speed up or slow down the more gas you will use. Typically, four-wheel drives weigh more so there is a bigger impact.~ Avoid excessive brakingDon’t ride the brakes. It is bad for the brakes, the gas mileage and the drivers around you.~ Properly inflated and aligned tiresTires have to be checked and have the proper inflation. They can fluctuate a great deal. Keep a tire gauge handy and check them every time you fuel up. Tires need to be rotated and aligned properly. That has a big impact on fuel economy and the way the four-wheel drive handles.~Clean air filterThe term burning fuel is accurate. Fuel burns better with clean air. A dirty air filter chokes off the air need to burn fuel efficiently. Check it often and keep it clean. This is especially important for those who use the four wheel drive on dirt roads.~ Use four-wheel drive only as necessaryMost of the time even people who have a four-wheel drive are only using it in bad weather and rough terrain. If you manually turn your four-wheel drive on and off, it is important to pay attention and get it turned off when it is not necessary. It takes more power to use the four-wheel drive option.~ Avoid over use of air conditioningUse air conditioning sparingly. Cool off the car in spurts rather than running a steady stream.~ Remove any extra weight from the vehicleIf there is junk in the trunk or in the back of the truck that you don’t need, remove it. The heavier the vehicle the more gas it uses.~Consolidate tripsMake one trip and get it all done at once.Clearly, these are common sense things that sometimes fall between the cracks. It is a matter of driving safe and smart.
