(ARA)
- With the price of gasoline slated to rise steeply,
it makes more sense than ever to conserve it; not to
mention it’s the environmentally friendly thing
to do. Here’s some advice from the pros at the
non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service
Excellence (ASE) that you can use year-round to save
gasoline and help planet Earth.
Monitor
your tires. Under inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels
waste fuel by forcing the engine to work harder. Let
the tires cool down before checking the air pressure.
Out-of-line wheels, as evidenced by uneven tread wear,
should be aligned by a professional.
Consolidate
your daily trips and errands. Some trips may be unnecessary.
Also, try to travel when traffic is light so you can
avoid stop-and-go conditions.
Avoid
excessive engine idling. Shut off your vehicle while
waiting for friends and family.
Observe
speed limits. Speeding decreases your miles per gallon.
Drive
gently. Sudden accelerations guzzle gas. Anticipate
traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually.
Use cruise control. (You’ll help your brakes and
suspension system last longer, too).
Remove
excess weight. Store only essentials in the trunk. Less
weight means better mileage. After family vacations,
make sure you remove all unnecessary items, including
that rooftop cargo carrier.
Use
windows and air conditioning wisely. Your mileage should
improve if you keep the windows closed at highway speeds,
since air drag is reduced. This is true even with the
air conditioning on -- assuming that the system is in
good working order. If possible, try to avoid using
your air conditioner in heavy, stop-and-go traffic such
as traffic jams or holiday weekend back-ups.
Keep
your engine operating at its peak efficiency. A misfiring
spark plug can greatly reduce gas mileage; conversely,
a well-maintained engine will help you maximize the
gas mileage for your specific make and model.
Follow
the service schedules listed in your owner’s manual.
Replace filters and fluids as recommended; and have
engine performance problems (rough idling, poor acceleration,
etc.) corrected at a repair facility. Given today’s
high-tech engines, it’s wise to have this type
of work done by auto technicians who are ASE certified
in engine performance.
These
conservation tips will not only save gasoline, they’ll
help extend the life of your vehicle.
The
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
(ASE) was founded in 1972 as a non-profit, independent
organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive
service and repair through the voluntary testing and
certification of automotive technicians. ASE-certified
technicians wear blue and white ASE shoulder insignia
and carry credentials listing their exact area(s) of
certification. Their employers often display the blue
and white ASE sign.
Visit
www.asecert.org for more information.
Courtesy
of ARA Content |
