Get Better Gas Mileage This Winter - Simple Tips You Can Use
by: Scott Babb
Getting the best gas mileage is harder during the winter. Here are a few simple things you can do to improve your winter gas mileage.
Maintain your car. Check your tires to make sure they have plenty of tread. Slipping tires are dangerous and they waste gas. Ask your car dealer or mechanic if you can use a lighter weight oil during the winter to reduce friction and save gas. Consider using a low-friction or synthetic oil to save gas. If it's been awhile since you changed your air filter, check your owners manual to find the recommended changing interval. A new air filter can greatly improve your gas mileage. Consider an after-market low restriction air filter system. Not only can these improve your gas mileage, but they often come with permanent filter media that can be washed or cleaned and reused. The higher cost of the after-market filter can be offset by not having to buy new air filters.
Check your tire pressure. As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. Low tire pressure is one of the most common causes of poor gas mileage and it can also wear your tires quicker and make your car handle badly. Check your tires regularly with a tire pressure gauge and make sure they're at the manufacturer's recommended settings. To find the recommended settings look in your owners manual or open your driver's door and look for a sticker on the rear of the door near the latch mechanism. Some cars have different recommended pressures for the front and rear tires. Don't overinflate your tires because that can make them wear out quicker and make your car handle poorly.
Don't run your car's engine to warm it up. This is a common way people waste gas in the winter. See your owners manual for recommended warm-up time for your car. It's usually less than a minute and often less than 15 seconds. Running your car's engine longer wastes gas. If you live in a very cold climate, install an electric block heater to pre-heat your car's engine. Consider bundling up in warmer clothes if comfort is an issue. If you're out shopping, park in a sunny spot and let nature help keep your car warm for your return.
Clear all ice and snow off your car before you start driving. In addition to being a lot of extra weight to haul around, ice and snow can increase wind resistance which also hurts gas mileage. Also make sure you're not dragging around any more weight than absolutely necessary by removing unneeded items from your trunk.
Remove your roof rack. If you use a roof rack for skis, snowboards, or other items, remove the rack when you're not using it to reduce wind resistance. If you must leave the rack on, at least remove the equipment from the rack to minimize the mileage drop. Consider using an aerodynamic box-style container on your roof rack for your winter sports equipment. If you transport sports gear or other items in your trunk or inside your vehicle, remove them as soon as you're done using them to save weight.
Avoid the drive-through. It's convenient to use drive-through lanes for coffee, food, or banking, but all that sitting in line wastes gas. Park your car and brave the cold to walk inside the eatery or bank and you'll save gas.
Bonus: Holiday gift suggestions to help save gas.
* For those on a budget, an accurate dial-type tire pressure gauge should cost you less than $15. Even the entry-level digital gauges are less than $20. Of course if you want a professional-quality gauge with superior accuracy or a digital gauge that tells you your tire pressure audibly, you can spend considerably more.
* If you're shopping on a higher budget, consider a GPS navigator. These electronic marvels listen to radio signals from orbiting Global Positioning System satellites and calculate your location with amazing accuracy. They can display maps, give you step-by-step directions to your destination, and even tell you where to find the nearest restaurant, gas station, or hotel when you're on the road. You'll never have to worry about being lost and you'll save gas by having a computerized navigator to direct you to your destination. The cost? An entry-level GPS navigator is under $90 and they range from there to over $1000 for a top-of-the-line model.
About The Author
Scott Babb is the webmaster of http://www.gas-mileage-tips.com where you'll find many more tips, tools, and resources to help you get better gas mileage, save money, and be kinder to the environment. Copyright 2005 Scott Babb. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links are left clickable.
|
How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
by: Bill B. Carmel
When it comes time to replace your old and worn ATV tires, many riders are eager to purchase new tires, but many are unaware what to do with the old ones. Regardless where you live, throwing old tires in a body or water or natural environment is improper?and in many cases illegal?since the tires can corrupt nature. When disposing of your old ATV tires, be sure to do so in a proper and legal manner that will not negatively impact the environment for future generations.
More and more often, tires are being recycled and formed into all sorts of new products. From park benches to carpets, recycled rubber is a durable and economical product. When you are faced with the decision what to do with your old ATV tires, look to your local recycling company to see if rubber is accepted. Although you may not be able to place your tires to the curb if you community is involved with curbside recycling...
How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
Tires > How To Dispose Of Your Old ATV Tires
Auto Parts Inner Offers Preventive Car Maintenance Tips and Quality Replacement Parts for Ford, BMW, Toyota, Honda Chevrolet and More
Auto Parts Inner Offers Preventive Car Maintenance Tips and Quality Replacement Parts for Ford, BMW, Toyota, Honda Chevrolet and More
by: Terry Brown
Believing that prevention is still better than cure, Auto Parts Inner offers preventive maintenance tips to a lot of car users in order to avoid common car problems, frequent repair and car part replacement and thus, prolong the life of their vehicle.
Auto Parts Inner suggests a regular inspection of the vehicle?s major and minor parts, including the cooling system, engine system, ignition systems and the electrical system components.
It is also important to check all fluids in your car such as the transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid. They must be kept in normal level to ensure your safety.
Furthermore, you must make sure that the wheels are properly aligned and the tires are well inflated to ensure safety, better handling and ride quality.
In addition,...
Auto Parts Inner Offers Preventive Car Maintenance Tips and Quality Replacement Parts for Ford, BMW, Toyota, Honda Chevrolet and More
Tires > Auto Parts Inner Offers Preventive Car Maintenance Tips and Quality Replacement Parts for Ford, BMW, Toyota, Honda Chevrolet and More
Car Care Tips ? How to Keep Your Car in Immaculate Condition
Car Care Tips ? How to Keep Your Car in Immaculate Condition
by: Paul MacIver
There are several things you must do to keep your car in immaculate condition and retain its value.
Apart from regular mechanical servicing and maintenance, your car must also be groomed regularly to keep it looking like new.
This means more than simply putting it through the carwash each week.
Although it takes a bit longer, you?ll find that hand grooming your car achieves a far better result.
There?s no need to spend a lot of money on car care products, however you will need to buy a few.
These are some tips I use every time I clean my car.
Exterior
Rinse your car down to get rid of excess dirt, and then wash it with a sponge and soapy water.
Once you?ve washed the whole car, rinse it off and then dry it with a soft cloth.
If you don?t dry your car afterwards, water droplets gather dust, and when...
Tires > Car Care Tips ? How to Keep Your Car in Immaculate Condition
Cheap Air Fares - The Secrets to Getting Cheap Air Fares
Cheap Air Fares - The Secrets to Getting Cheap Air Fares
by: Anthony Kristovich III
Cheap air fares are easy if you keep these 8 tips in mind. Airlines aim to make as much money as possible. They are not going to put the cheap air fares out front, so you need to know how to find those gold mines yourself.
There are basically 8 rules I use on a regular basis when booking flights to be sure I get to my destination the cheapest way. These are tips that every...
Cheap Air Fares - The Secrets to Getting Cheap Air Fares
Tires > Cheap Air Fares - The Secrets to Getting Cheap Air Fares
Guide to Buying a Flat Screen TV
Guide to Buying a Flat Screen TV
by: Nathan James
If you?re ready to invest in one of the fabulous new flat screen televisions that everyone is talking about these days, there are some things you should know. There are several different types of flat screen technology, and it?s important you understand the pros and cons before you spend thousands of dollars on a TV.
Most people buy electronics as a long term investment, hoping their TV will last them for...
Tires Guide to Buying a Flat Screen TV Get Better Gas Mileage This Winter - Simple Tips You Can Use tvs
Tires > Guide to Buying a Flat Screen TV
Tires Get Better Gas Mileage This Winter - Simple Tips You Can Use