Summer Driving and Improving Your MPG

For all of us that cannot afford an electric car, let's look at what we can do to save money, gas, and our environment.

"Poor Gas Mileage," costs us money and lots of it, because this slow extraction of our dollars paid per gallon is rarely noticed. If your car is only getting 17 miles per gallon and you should be getting a maximum of 32, something is wrong.

1) Tune Up:
When was the last time you had your car checked by a Double R car mechanic? Someone who is Reliable and Reputable.

2) Oil Change:
Your Tune Up must include an Oil Change and new Oil Filter as well as a possible new air filter, spark plugs, and cleaning your fuel injector. 

3) Trunk Transfer:
We have all seen this, open a car trunk and there is no empty space. All the deadweight destroys your miles per gallon. 

4) Wash The Car:
Yes, a car covered with layers of dirt will destroy the aerodynamics of your car. 

5) Windows, Open or Closed:
a) When you are driving around town open your windows and enjoy the FREE air and breeze. 
b) When you start to increase speed, above 40 mph and will be driving at this rate for some time, the air conditioner in your car is more fuel efficient. 

6) Coasting:
This is Physics. Get your foot off the gas when going downhill.  

7) Big Mac Containers:
Look up on the roof, is that a ski rack? Whatever you have on your car roof, if the roof rack, ski rack, or enclosed container, is not being used, then take it off. 

8) Bird's Eye View and the Internet:
All trips can have traffic. Use your Internet connection to get a bird's eye view of the roads and the traffic situation. 

9) Got Gas:
Review the type of gas you buy and what is best for your car's engine. Also never buy gas at a station that just had a delivery. Wait until tomorrow so all the sediments and dirt settles. 

10) Early Bird Gets More Gas:
Try to always fill up your gas tank early in the morning! All petroleum has more density under colder temperatures and that tank in the ground is coldest early in the morning. All gas station pumps deliver gasoline based on flow rate, so if one gallon is provided within 10 seconds, you will receive more fuel in that 10 seconds when under cold morning ground temperatures compared to the afternoon. If the morning ground temperature is 59 degrees compared to a hot summer afternoon when the ground temperature may reach 95 degrees, you will receive about 2.5% more gasoline for the same money.

11) Bill Of Goods:
Don't be sold a Bill of Goods when it comes to all the magic pills, liquids, and contraptions, to INCREASE fuel efficiency. 

12) Beautiful Colors:
When buying or renting a car, pick a light color interior. The less your car's air conditioner has to work, better gas mileage.

13) Check Pressure:
We all should know this one, how much air should be in your tires and check the air pressure often! 

So when the rubber hits the road with all of the above in mind, you should have up to 15% better miles per gallon.­