An Engineering Extension energy feature
An Engineering Extension energy feature
By Dennis Matteson
The increased awareness of effects of fuel use on the environment and increases in fuel prices have caused Americans to
modify the way they view transportation.
Here are several tips that all motorists can follow in trying to minimize fuel consumption. These fall under three basic categories--maintenance, driving habits, and lifestyle preferences.
Car maintenance is vital in optimizing an automobile's efficiency. All automobiles come with a recommended maintenance schedule, but keep in mind that this schedule calls for the minimum maintenance for average driving.
Therefore, if your driving consists mostly of short trips, you should perform maintenance checks more frequently. Maintenance practices are not an expense, but an investment that can return large dividends.
Tune-up your car according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Most automobiles should have an annual inspection, even if the mileage is less than what would require a full tune-up.
Service your automobile more often if you drive it on short trips than if you use it mainly for highway driving.
Change the oil and check and change filters at recommended intervals.
This includes air, oil, and fuel filters. Most drivers are aware of the need to change the oil filter, but often overlook the air
filter. A dirty air filter makes the engine operate at a richer mixture, using more fuel and producing more pollutants.
Check tire pressure at least monthly.
The purpose of this check is not just to prevent flat tires. Underinflated tires decrease fuel economy and cause unstable
steering.
Tires have a maximum pressure rating printed on their side, and your automobile owner's manual will also list a range of operating pressures. For best mileage, use the maximum recommended pressure. Be sure to check pressure when tires are cool, not immediately after driving.
The following recommendations for driving habits are also critical to efficient fuel mileage.
Plan trips to allow for combined activities.
This requires advanced planning, but can benefit you in two ways. Combining trips will minimize fuel usage and save you
travel time. For instance, if you do your shopping on the way home from work, rather than making another trip downtown,
you will save extra driving miles and may assist in reducing time spent in rush hour traffic.
Anticipate traffic to minimize frequent braking and acceleration.
Many cities have programmed traffic signals on major streets to allow automobiles to travel the speed limit with minimal
stopping. Traveling at a constant speed uses less gas than braking and accelerating.
This effort can be combined with defensive driving. Watch at least a block ahead for the traffic light. If it is just turning red, you can reduce your speed and possibly avoid the need for braking, thus increasing your fuel economy.
Avoid excessive idling.
The recommended engine warm-up time during cold weather is two to three minutes.
Accelerate slowly, if traffic allows.
"Jack rabbit" starts waste gas and save very little time.
Finally, altering lifestyle preferences can effectively reduce fuel consumption.
Car-pool or ride public transportation when possible.
Compare driving routes with neighbors and co-workers. You may find that your schedules coordinate, saving everyone fuel
and providing time to visit or work during the trip.
Bicycle or walk instead of driving.
Besides reducing fuel consumption, these options provide exercise at the same time.
Patronize local shops.
Most people do comparison shopping, but don't realize that the cost of any purchase also includes the cost of the trip to buy
the item. For example, driving an additional five miles to save a dollar is not economical. At current automobile operating
costs, the trip would cost approximately 29 cents a mile.
Drive at moderate speeds.
Driving 60 instead of 55 mph on a 10-mile trip saves less than one minute of driving time and uses more fuel. Keep in mind
that increasing maximum speed from 55 to 60 mph does not necessarily save you time if you are constantly changing speed
for slower traffic.
When car-pooling, use the most economical car for the number of passengers.
Six people travelling in a car that gets 15 miles per gallon is more economical than driving two cars that get 25 miles per
gallon.
Consider the total operating cost when purchasing a vehicle.
Cars with high miles-per-gallon ratings will cost more initially, but may provide enough fuel savings to justify the
additional cost.
Consider the following example to illustrate this point.
Assume you could purchase a six-passenger car that gets 30 miles per gallon for $15,000, or one that gets 20 miles per gallon for $14,000. If you drive the car 20,000 miles in a year and pay $1.30 per gallon of gasoline, the fuel costs for the second car would be $433 more than the cost of fuel for the first. Therefore, if you plan on having the car more than two years, the additional cost would be justified.