May

26

Saving Gas – A Guide For You and Your Vehicle (Part 2/2)

May 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment


By Andrew Bernhardt

…continued from Part 1

But wait – there’s more. The bountiful airflow puts extra horsepower at the pedal for your driving pleasure. Not to mention the cleaner air volumes now entering your engine, which contribute to overall vehicle condition. Be careful, though. Overusing the power boost provided by a performance air filter will negate any mileage improvements.

Improving Aerodynamics

Ever feel like something is holding your truck back? Surprisingly, it’s probably your tailgate. Passing air rushes over your truck’s cab and flows directly into your open bed. With nowhere else to go, the turbulent air crashes into your tailgate – catching your truck like a trout that swallowed the hook.

Adding a tonneau cover to your otherwise exposed truck bed provides a tight surface for airflow to blow right past. Without a drag-prone tailgate to slow your truck down, you can see an average gas mileage improvement of 5% to 10% immediately.

If you’d rather not get a tonneau cover, or need full uncovered bed access at all times, consider an air-flow tailgate. drag is reduced immensely, thanks to a mesh or louvered design that allows turbulent air in your truck bed to slip right through the gate.

Though studies show the gas mileage improvement is not as dramatic as adding a tonneau cover to your ride, air flow tailgates will show an immediate gas mileage improvement that exceeds unsafe driving with the stock tailgate down.

Tire Pressure Effects

If you’re getting worse gas mileage than usual, check your tire pressure. If your tires are under-inflated, your vehicle has to work that much harder to spin them. The friction caused by these flabby tires could be sucking your gas mileage by 2mpg or more. Not to mention the premature tread wear that will cost you serious cash down the road.

Check your pressure with a digital tire gauge for the best possible accuracy. The recommended pressure for your tires is usually given on a label inside your door well. If they’re low, fill them up at most any corner service station and check the pressure again with the digital tire gauge. Under-inflation can have cash-swallowing consequences, but over-inflation is just as bad for your wallet.

Sharpen Your Shop Skills

The overall health of your car contributes greatly to the gas mileage you’ll see throughout its life. Follow the regular maintenance schedule for oil changes, tune-ups and inspections. Don’t keep driving your vehicle if something is blatantly screwed up! Get the problem fixed, and it’s less likely to drain your gas tank.

About the author:

With every vehicle and every lifestyle kept in mind, Andrew Bernhardt hopes that this information will help you save some hard earned dollars at the pump. For more information about saving gas with your vehicle, please visit http://www.autoanything.com.






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Related Posts:

 Saving Gas – A Guide For You and Your Vehicle (Part 1/2)  Easy Ways to Increase Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency (Part 2 Of 2)  Easy Ways to Increase Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency (Part 1 Of 2)  How to Maintain Your Car (Part 1 Of 2)  How to Maintain Your Car (Part 2 Of 2) 


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