How to improve your gas mileage when driving around the O’Fallon, IL area
O’Fallon, IL, is close to a lot of great stores, schools, and other attractions in the East St. Louis area, but getting from one to the others can really eat up the gas in your car. If you live in the area, and you have a lot to get done, anything that promises to improve gas mileage is probably welcome. These are a few things you can do to improve fuel economy somewhat and get more bang for your fuel buck in the O’Fallon area.
Keep the Car Factory-Stock
Most cars come from the factory optimized for the maximum fuel economy they can get without sacrificing some other benefit. Because of this, most of the aftermarket modifications available for your car are likely to cut into your gas mileage. Roof racks and other protruding items, for example, increase drag and force your car to push harder to get up to speed. The effect here may be slight, but it starts to make a difference if you drive the typical 10,000 miles a year. You can also try to keep the weight down by not hauling cargo you don’t need and by making sure your suspension is functioning well under the car’s normal load.
Check for Faults
Did you know gas caps can leak? And that a leaky gas cap can hurt your fuel economy? It’s true: a broken or badly sealed gas cap can admit oxygen to the fuel line and make your gas burn hotter than it should. This seriously reduces the economy and sends you back to the pump more often than you should. Low tire pressure is another likely culprit if you’re not getting adequate mileage. Try checking your tire pressure once a month, and more often if your low-pressure light comes on.
Change Your Driving Style
The way you drive might be the biggest single factor in improving fuel economy. Try driving with a feather-light foot on the gas pedal. You might be surprised at how little performance you’re sacrificing and how much fuel not gunning the motor saves. In a similar vein, avoid letting the engine idle while you’re stopped; that just burns gas for no gain in distance. Finally, if you drive a manual transmission car, try keeping it in the highest gear you can without putting a strain on the engine. If you’re driving at, say, 40 mph, you might get away with 3rd gear, but if you’re driving in 4th, your engine could work up to 25 percent less hard, which translates into improved gas mileage.
Any questions? Call our trained specialists at Hotz Auto today! Keep up with all of our latest updates by liking us on Facebook!