Mark the Mileage

By Taylor Brandfass and the Great Green Home Show, GREENandSAVE.com
Posted on Sunday 1st March 2009

Most people use their car every day. Whether it is to get to and from work, to pick up the kids from school, or to run some errands, we often take our vehicles for granted. But with something used so heavily, shouldn't we consider trying to make it as efficient as possible? Listed below are a few tips that will help to conserve gas, increase your mileage and reduce your emissions.

1. Change your air filter - A badly clogged filter can rob a car of close to 10% of its efficiency.
2. Change the oil filter and the fuel filter.
3. Using a synthetic oil additive can mean an increase in efficiency of up to 5% for gas.
4. Tune up the engine and change the spark plugs.
5. Avoid idling for long periods of time.
6. Set your tires to proper inflation levels. Tires lose about 1 pound per square inch per month, and improperly inflated tires can cause about a 3% reduction in fuel efficiency.
7. Plan your trips and routes carefully for groceries or shopping. A quick one-mile trip to the shop emits up to 70% as much pollution as a ten-mile excursion with several stops.
8. Drive the speed limit and 55 when possible. For every mile per hour over 60, your fuel loses efficiency.
9. Fill your tank all the way. A full tank is more efficient than an empty one. As fuel levels drop in your car, it becomes easier for the fuel to evaporate.
10. Use your cruise control.
11. Turn your air conditioner off when driving in the city. And only use the AC with the windows rolled up on the highway. If the windows are down at those speeds, your car will face drag that diminishes the efficiency of your fuel. Narrower tires also reduce drag.
12. Use overdrive gears if you have them.
13. When manual transmissions are properly used they can save your vehicle about 5% of its fuel efficiency.

There's a lot to digest up there, but each tip will be valuable on its own. Make sure you think about your cars efficiency the next time you are at the pump, and maybe you won't have to fill up so often.

GREENandSAVE.com is a free resource for anyone that wants to save energy, money, and the environment. The articles, product reviews, online tools, and return on investment calculations are researched from a diverse range of public and private sector sources. Overall, the company is passionate about saving money as well as creating healthy homes, offices, and lifestyles.

To hear the audio for this and other Great Green Home Show radio segments, visit the "On the Radio" section on GREENandSAVE.com. You may also want to think about getting a Home Efficiency Checkup or an Energy Audit. Or, to start a career in the Eco-Economy, see what Green Collar Jobs have to offer in the Philadelphia area.

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