Now that gas prices are on the rise again, many people are looking for more ideas to improve fuel economy.
“This is a sore subject any time of year, but always comes up every time gas prices go up,” said Ed Kriston, an approved auto repair specialist at the Towson office of AAA Mid Atlantic in Wilmington, Del. “There are some minor steps to take that will improve fuel efficiency.”
Here are some from Kriston and his colleague Jeffrey Boone:
» Check your air pressure. Tire pressure fluctuates frequently, especially when exposed to temperature changes. Keeping your car?s tires at the correct pressure will improve gas mileage. A good rule of thumb is to check pressure weekly.
Even if the pressure is off a bit, it will greatly affect fuel economy. Remember to check your door/glove box sticker or read your owner?s manual, so you don?t overinflate your tires.
» Change your car?s air filter. When the filter becomes dirty, it doesn?t allow your engine to function efficiently, causing it to use extra gas. If you hold an air filter up to the light and can?t see light shining through it, it?s time for a change.
» Don?t buy the potions that promise better fuel economy. While some of the products do slightly affect fuel performance, most don?t work or have such a negligible effect that they are worthless.
Don?t be swayed by notices on the bottles that the product was tested by the EPA or the Consumer Protection Agency. That testing only checks for harm to the environment.
» Take your car for regular oil changes. Additives in oil wear engines out and make them run harder, decreasing fuel economy.
Take your car to a reputable repair center for oil changes and take advantage of their overall preventive maintenance checks.
» Keep your car?s air conditioning moderate. When the car?s interior temperature is kept lower than needed, you are wasting gas.
Try to use the air vents instead of air conditioning whenever possible. Remember, your air conditioning is working when your car is in defrost mode, in most cases.
