Smart driving, vehicle maintenance can save gas

With gas at an average of $3.99 a gallon consumers are looking for ways to improve and increase their gas mileage.

Automobile manufacturers are developing newer vehicles that are fuel efficient. But what about people who are trying to get the best mileage possible from an older vehicle?

Local automotive experts offered some gas saving tips for those not yet in the market for a new, hybrid, electric or alternative fuel vehicle.

Upkeep of vehicle

Simply making sure that your vehicle is kept in good running condition will increase your mileage, said Portales Big Valley, service advisor, Steve Bertrand.

Keeping your vehicle tuned up, getting an oil change when required, and replacing an air filter are all things that can help improve your gas mileage, he said.

“Another tip is to make sure your tires are properly inflated,” Bertrand said. “A low tire could cause your gas mileage to drop.”

Drive sensibly
When on the road maintaining a constant speed using cruise control can help gas mileage, Bertrand said.

“When you don’t use cruise control you are constantly fluctuating the speed and engine power of the vehicle,” Bertrand said.

Speeding, and braking can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway, according to the Government Web Site www.fueleconomy.gov.

“Most vehicle’s peak gas mileage is set at 60 mph” said Chad Messick, a Portales NAPA auto parts store salesman. “Your gas mileage can be different depending if you have a light foot or lead foot.”

Leaving your vehicle idling can improve and decrease gas usage, Messick said.

 If someone is at a drive-thru for five minutes they should leave their engine running, Messick said.

“It takes more gas to restart the engine then it would have used to leave it idling for the five minutes,” Messick said.

If the driver is going to be out of the vehicle for an extended period of time then it is best to shut the engine off, Messick said.
Running the air conditioner can also effect gas mileage.

When in town it is best to leave the air conditioner off and roll the windows down, said Brett Lamay, sales associate at Autozone in Clovis.
“An air conditioner will not use more gas if you are driving 65 mph or faster,” Lamay said.

Fuel Saving Tips

Drive more efficiently
• Avoid aggressive driving
• Observe the speed limit (mileage usually decreases above 60 mph)
• Remove excess weight from vehicle
• Avoid excessive idling
• Use cruise control
• Use overdrive gears

Keep your car in shape
• Make sure engine is tuned properly
• Replace air filters regularly
• Keep tires inflated properly
• Use the recommended grade of motor oil

Planning and combining trips
• Make one multi-purpose trip rather than several small ones
• Stagger work hours to avoid peak rush hour traffic
• Use carpools when possible

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov