TOP fuel efficiency tips

See your top rate

Gas mileage usually peaks at a rate of 40-55 mph (64-89 km/h) while using your cars top equipment.     It can vary significantly between automobiles based on weight, engine, the gearing and drag, but following 60 miles it declines appreciably. Recent research  by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory comparing 74 vehicles' fuel economy at speeds of 50, 60, 70 and 80 mph indicates each extra mph reduces fuel economy by roughly 14%. More simply put, from 50 to 60 mph fuel market drops by 12%, from 50 to 70 miles it drops by 25%, and from 50 to 80 miles it falls by 36 percent. If you are a bit of a lead foot slowing down can improve your fuel economy.     Clearly you can only go as slow as is secure, but by cutting 10 mph, dividends can be paid and will probably make your smoother also.

Don't be a drag

When You get to about 30  miles (48 km/h)  a car uses more energy to overcome wind resistance than it does fighting rolling resistance.     So you want your car to be as aerodynamic as possible. Getting Your sun roof open or windows down can raise drag a little at greater rates.     Estimates vary widely on this by a 1 percent to some reduction in fuel market, although leaving bike rack or a roof box on will have a larger effect.

Make Your Car Your Own

Every mainstream passenger automobile is a compromise constructed with distinct drivers in mind. Because there are all too few vehicles built as the key design element with gas mileage, there's a lot of improvement. Like adding a block wheel covers or rear-wheel skirts some people will do little things to enhance aerodynamics. Others swap engines will eliminate alternators or convert their car to run all-electric. In any event, optimizing the design of your auto is one of the very best ways to better fuel economy. After all, it was my automatic-to-manual conversion that really boosted me to this territory by the high 30s and low 40s.

Up Your Tires--Really

One of the areas where fuel market is compromised by manufacturers for relaxation is in tire pressure. This 32-psi rating is there to make the ride smooth as silk, much as you run over potholes and pedestrians. It can be contentious, but consider it: To get the best mileage out of your vehicle, up the pressure to the maximum. Your resistance will be lowered and you're going to get better gas mileage, although the ride will get a bit rougher. But don't only do it once and forget about it! Make sure to check your tire pressure every other time you fill up, or you could be leaking air and shedding MPGs.

Only Brake When You Need to

I recently found myself battling against a 20-mile copy passing through Hartford, Conn.. The traffic was, however, the bunch was constantly speeding up and suddenly slowing down. Therefore I did something. When everyone started taking off, I gave myself a 10- or 15-second buffer before accelerating and hitting on the gas. By leaving space ahead and accelerating, I could see the brake lights until I expended a substantial amount of gas, coasting right back up into the car in front of me. My Honda would meet up with the car without using the brakes at all, just because it started up again, when I timed it right. While sitting in traffic, my gas mileage went up to over 70 mpg!

Easy on the air con

Although electrical gadgets do utilize energy in your car, it tends to be a load to the engine.     The only thing contemplating for fuel economy is air conditioning, which in speeds can decrease fuel economy by more than 10% on a high setting.