B4-U-BUY(tm) FYI - Here's How To Get Better Gas Mileage

Here's How To Get Better Gas Mileage

Who's got money to burn? Six simple steps can help you get the most out of your gasoline dollar, say the pros at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a non-profit group that certifies the competence of automotive technicians. Among the tips from ASE:

Lighten up. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage.

Drive sensibly. Don't speed and avoid sudden accelerations and hard braking. Use cruise control on highways. Anticipate traffic patterns ahead and adjust your speed gradually. In addition to better gas mileage, your engine and brakes should last longer.

Maintain the engine. Follow the service schedules listed in the owner's manual. A well-maintained engine burns less fuel than a neglected one. Replace fluids and filters as recommended; 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 engine performance work done by an auto technician who has earned ASE certification, a national measure of competence.

Check tire pressure. Under inflated or poorly aligned tires waste fuel, since the engine must work harder to move the vehicle. Consult the owner's manual or tire sidewalls for recommended pressure. An alignment may be warranted if the tread is wearing unevenly or if the vehicle "pulls" while being driven on a flat road.

Stop idling around. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family. And since today's vehicles are designed to "warm up" fast, forget those ten-minute warm ups in the morning.

Consolidate daily errands and short trips. Some trips may be unnecessary. Also, travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions.

By changing your driving habits and practicing routine car care, you will get better gasoline mileage, help the environment, and extend the life of your vehicle.

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