Make sure your oil is the proper grade for winter. As temperatures drop it causes the oil in your car to become thicker. If it gets too thick it will not be able to properly lubricate your engine. Not only will an engine that isn't properly lubricated use more gas but it can also sustain considerable damage. It could even cause damage to the point where the engine would need to be replaced.
Check your owners manual to determine the proper grade of oil for the winter. Generally cold temperatures require a thinner oil then you would use during warm weather. If you are using a multi-grade oil it might work just fine in the winter. Again, check your manual or ask your car dealer what the proper grade for your car is.
A second problem that cold weather brings is a change in your tire pressure. In cold weather the tire pressure drops. If your tires were at the proper pressure at 70 degrees, those same tires will be 5 to 10 pounds too low at 20 degrees and will be 7 to 14 pounds too low at zero degrees.
The most common gas robbing condition drivers face is low tire pressure. It is estimated that at least 25 per cent of all cars on the road have at least one tire that is too low. At 5 to 10 pounds under inflated you will be decreasing your miles per gallon by 2 to 4 percent.
Every 10-degree drop in ambient temperature results in a one to two pound reduction in tire pressure. If you set your pressures in November, they'll be too low in February.
To correct and prevent the problem of low tire pressure you need to check the tire pressure on a regular basis. Check them every month at a minimum. Also check them when there is a significant fall in temperatures.
These are just two of the gas robbing situations that winter causes. You can prevent the loss of fuel economy and in fact improve gas mileage by being aware of these conditions and take steps to avoid them.
With gas hovering around the $3.40 per gallon mark, a tank of gas now costs the average driver a hefty $50. Take that figure to almost $100 if you own a truck. And with no end in sight to these high prices, drivers are searching for ways to squeeze every last drop out of a gallon of gas. Of course, there are a number of common sense tips that relate to your driving habits. Combine errands, take public transportation if available, and car pooling are tried and true methods to lessen the bite on your wallet. But if you must drive (and that's most of us), here are some lesser known tips to help you save a few dollars per week. These five tips are strategies you can use starting today to save as much as $10 per week. That's over $500 per year! Gas Saving Tip #1: Anticipate Traffic Conditions More often than not, we're in a hurry when we're driving. After all, we want to get somewhere and get there quickly. However, rapid acceleration and frequent braking are huge gas guzzlers. Learn to anticipate traffic conditions. If you see a stop sign or red light ahead, take your foot off the gas and cruise to a stop. It will save gas as well as wear and tear on your brakes. Tip #2: Inflate Your Tires Properly Underinflated tires are one of the biggest causes of inefficient fuel economy. Studies show you can increase your gas mileage by 5% with properly inflated tires. It's interesting to note that cold weather affects tire pressure the most. Check the air pressure in your tires monthly, especially in winter. Tip #3: Idling Gobbles Gas Sitting and idling wastes gas, so if you're waiting in a traffic jam or sitting at a railroad crossing, turn off your engine. The same holds true for warming up your car. Warming it up for a few minutes is plenty. Anything beyond 5 minutes and you're wasting fuel. Tip #4: Change That Air Filter Chances are, your air filter is dirty, and this wastes fuel, particularly on acceleration. Change your air filter every 6,000 miles and you'll improve fuel economy by as much as 6-8%. Tip #5: Put It In Cruise If you're a highway driver, use the cruise control function as much as possible. Driving at even, consistent speeds is much easier on fuel consumption. These five simple gas saving tips will have you filling up less frequently and saving as much as $10 a week on your fuel costs.
Jim Hofman has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cardio Training, Modelling and Health. Increase your vehicle's gas mileage and spend a whole lot less at the pump by following proven and easy to implement driving and maintenance tips. If you enjoyed these 5 gas saving tips, visit. Jim Hofman's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.