It has become increasingly apparent that gasoline prices have gotten out of hand. The time for all-consuming SUVs is long gone, as production of the Hummer, Tahoe, and Suburban has hit an all time low. Gasoline prices have really hit a sore spot in the wallet of the average American. Now, as Americans, we disapprove of our once-loved cars and view them as a vacuum that is sucking up our savings due to poor gas mileage. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. To combat rising gas prices and increase our fuel economy, people can do things like hypermiling, car advertising, use gas-saving devices, and perform basic car maintenance more regularly.
The first thing you may be wondering is: “What is hypermiling”? Hypermiling is a term that describes a type of driver who uses special driving techniques in an effort to maximize and increase fuel efficiency. Hypermiling can be divided into two classes: beginners and advanced. Most people/drivers will fall into the beginner category, therefore we will emphasize some of the basic hypermiling techniques. A key aspect to become a hypermiler is car maintenance; Key areas include high tire pressure maintenance, tire balancing, wheel alignment motor oil with a low kinematic viscosity/low “weight” motor oil. Pay close attention to the engine control module and sensors for proper engine operation, especially the oxygen sensor. Safety should never be neglected, one area that most people/drivers neglect is their headlights, especially if they have become cloudy or foggy, it will greatly affect visibility at night and become an eye sore in a vehicle that would otherwise look good. A headlight cleaner or headlight restoration kit can be easily found online by simply entering a keyword phrase like “foggy cloudy headlights” into a search engine like Google, yahoo, or msn. A Headlight Cleaner/Headlight Restoration Kit is an effective headlight solution to expensive headlight replacements.
Another factor in increasing gas mileage is simply minimizing mass by driving a lighter vehicle and/or reducing extra weight like luggage, tools, equipment, and even the spare tire if you have roadside assistance. Maintaining an efficient speed, while cruising non-stop, with minimal throttle in top gear, is also very important to fuel efficiency. In general, good fuel economy is achieved/maximized when acceleration and braking are minimized, so the key is to be aware of your surroundings and anticipate what will happen ahead to maximize coasting time. According to a US government study, simply tuning your engine correctly can increase gas mileage by an average of 4.7%. The most important aspect is the oxygen sensor which greatly affects performance/fuel economy by up to 40%. So check out that check engine light. Be sure to keep your tires inflated; The reasoning is that low tire pressure increases drag, making your car work harder. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure monthly. Many people think their car runs on gasoline only, but actually a car needs both gasoline and oxygen, which is why it’s so important to check your air filter twice a year and replace it every 10,000-12,000 miles. The Department of Energy has estimated that one could save as much as .22¢ per gallon simply by replacing a dirty air filter. Many people think it’s just okay to put any old motor oil in your vehicle’s engine, but in fact, it does matter and can save you some money simply by using the recommended motor oil for your vehicle. Stay on top of your car’s maintenance schedule shown in your owner’s manual to keep your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently. Lastly, remember the “Take the junk out of the trunk” phase by doing so, you can save some money over the course of your tank of gas. Get out those golf clubs, luggage, newspapers and generators and who knows, you might just find something you’ve been looking for a long time.
Some drivers have escaped rising gas costs by converting their vehicles. Not by altering the engine of your vehicle, but by altering the exterior, allowing companies to advertise on their vehicles. Today, car advertising has become very popular, and for today’s driver/owner, it has also become a way to get “free gas” so to speak. Gas is never free, but it’s like driving your vehicle for free because these sponsors or companies pay you to drive their vehicle to promote them. Thus, you are somehow getting paid to drive your own car. Whether it’s a sticker, a magnet, or even what’s called an auto wrap. An auto wrap is a vinyl wrap over your vehicle where they wrap part or all of the vehicle in an ad. The amount of money you can earn each month depends on the sponsor, what type of advertising is on your vehicle, and how many miles you drive. To even be considered as a potential candidate, one must drive at least 800 miles per month, drive in or through busy/congested cities or college campuses, and park in public places where the vehicle can be easily seen at all times. Getting car advertising, an auto wrap, or getting paid to drive is highly sought after so the companies that provide these services have a long waiting list and pick and choose the best candidate based on new/old vehicles, driving distances and routes taken to maximize visibility and exposure.
The last piece of advice we have to give about fuel economy and ways to save at the gas pump is to have a gas saver device. But the question we must ask ourselves is, “do they really work?” And if so, which ones?” Yahoo recently conducted a study testing these devices and only recommended the digital fuel mizer as a gas-saving device worth having. It’s a simple electronic device that monitors and alerts if the fuel driver is driving too aggressively, either by accelerating too fast or braking too hard.When you drive the vehicle efficiently, you will not hear the alert and the rising color bar will remain dim.But the only gas saving device that is tested and not It costs nothing is something most drivers already own and use. The device is known as your right foot – studies have shown you can get 35% better fuel economy just by using your holy right foot correctly. That’s why note, you should take your foot off the pedal, accelerate more slowly, lift your foot when approaching a stop, slide more, and on the highway or whenever possible use your cruise control. If you’ve been accused of lead footing, change it because in these times of high gas prices, the slower you go, the more fuel efficient you’ll be on the highways.
So, in summary, through hypermiling, car advertising, the use of gas-saving devices, and basic routine vehicle maintenance, one can combat or even, in some cases, beat sky-high gas prices. . This article has been brought to you by The Headlight Solution, your answer to cloudy and foggy headlights. We hope that by providing these tips, the average American can stretch their dollar during these difficult times and continue to keep the roads safe.