Fuel Economy Tips

As you know, we're all about HHO at FuelSaver-MPG.com. However, there are many ways to save additional fuel that won't cost you a dime. Even if you are using HHO on your engine, you may find you are still able to significantly increase your fuel economy. Look over the following list of fuel economy tips. If you think of some others, let us know.

1. Keep Tires Inflated to the Correct Pressure. One underinflated tire can cut fuel economy by 2 percent per pound of pressure below the proper inflation level. When a tire is underinflated by 4-5 psi, vehicle fuel consumption increases by 10 percent and, over the long haul, causes a 15-percent reduction in tire tread life.

2. Eliminate Unnecessary Weight. Vehicles get much better mileage when they're not loaded with unnecessary weight. Every 200 lbs. of additional weight trims about one mile off fuel efficiency. Clean out all that junk out of your trunk.

3. Don't Buy Premium Fuel. Octane has nothing to do with gasoline performance; it merely indicates the volatility factor in the combustion chamber. Unless your vehicle owner's manual specifically requires it, don't use premium fuel. Fuel costs could be cut as much as 10 cents per gallon by using regular fuel instead of premium.

4. Drive the Speed Limit. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates a 10- to 15-percent improvement in fuel economy by driving 55 mph instead of 65 mph.

5. Shop Around for Best Fuel Prices. Or use a wholesale club or grocery store. Do you have a membership to a warehouse chain such as Costco, Sam's Club? These wholesale clubs typically offer some of the lowest gas prices in town. Discount retailers, such Wal-Mart, Kmart, and grocery stores often charge less than the competition to get people on their lots.

6. Use A/C Sparingly. The air conditioner puts extra load on the engine, forcing more fuel to be used. An air conditioner is one of the biggest drains on engine power and fuel economy. It can reduce gas consumption 5 to 20 percent, depending on the type of vehicle and the way it is driven. Also, parking in the shade saves fuel since not as much gas will evaporate when the car is out of the sun. Air conditioning won't need to work as hard to cool down the interior.

7. Make Your Vehicle More Aerodynamic. Wind drag is a key source of reduced fuel mileage, causing an engine to work harder, thereby reducing fuel economy. Minimize wind drag by keeping the windows rolled up. This allows air to flow over the body, rather then drawing it inside the cabin and slowing down the vehicle. A wide-open window, especially at highway speeds, increases aerodynamic drag, which could result in a 10-percent decrease in fuel economy. Lowering the tailgate of a pickup creates turbulence, causing wind drag and a less fuel-efficient truck at highway speeds. By leaving the tailgate up, a smooth bubble of air is created in the bed.

8. Carpooling. Sharing a ride between 2 or more co-workers will save money and can be more fun.

9. Anticipate Traffic Flow. Anticipate traffic conditions and accelerate and decelerate smoothly. It's safer, uses less gas, and reduces brake wear. In stop-and-go commuter traffic, look two or more vehicles ahead as you keep an eye on the driver in front of you. This enables you to accelerate and decelerate more gradually.

10. Avoid Uphill Speed Increases. When climbing a hill, the engine is already working hard to overcome gravity. Pushing it harder by stepping on the gas is simply a waste of fuel.

11. Use Cruise Control During Highway Driving. Unnecessary changes in speed are wasteful. The use of cruise control helps improve fuel economy.

12. Avoid Aggressive Driving. Time studies show that fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic, and accelerating to and from a stop light don't save much time and wear out components such as brakes and tires faster. The EPA says that by not driving aggressively, drivers can save up to 20 percent in fuel economy.

13. Preventive Maintenance. Proper maintenance increases a vehicle's fuel economy. For example, unaligned wheels that fight each other waste fuel. A dirty air filter clogs an engine's air supply, causing a higher fuel-to-air ratio and thereby increasing gasoline consumption. Use good quality, energy-conserving (EC) oils with a viscosity grade consistent with the manual. Look for bottles marked with the symbol ECII, which is the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) logo for fuel-efficient oils.

14. Avoid Long Idling. The worst mileage a vehicle can get is 0 mpg, which occurs when it idles. Idling for long periods of time, whether at a railroad crossing or pulling off the road to make a cell phone call, consumes gas that could be saved by simply turning off the engine. Restarting an engine uses about the same amount of gas as idling for 30 seconds. When idling for longer periods of time, shut off the engine.