Extreme Gas Saving Tips:
If fuel mileage is your top priority, then these are the tips for you. Alone, these extreme gas saving tips may not result in a significant MPG boost. However, by combining techniques....who knows.
1. Feel like taking a risk? Ditch the spare tire. If fuel mileage is that much of a concern, lose the extra weight of the spare tire that you most likely will not need anyways.
2. Don't invest in new tires. When your tires are rendered useless and dangerous, replace them with a set of used tires. Used tires can be up to 7 % more efficient than a new one due to the reduced friction between the tread and the ashpalt. However, don't ride around on bald tires!
3. Invest in or fabricate your own components to increase aerodynamic efficiency. Air dams, for example, can be created with rubber belting and offer a significant increase in aerodynamic efficiency, a sure way to reduce fuel consumption. \
4. A manual transmission requires less energy to operate than an automatic transmission, and also puts you in full control of your vehicles shift points. A manual transmission is a much better choice for those concerned about fuel economy.
5. Install higher axle gear ratios to your vehicle (higher ratio = numerically lower). Doing so will lower your cruising RPM in all gears, therefore using less fuel. Beware; carefully plan your gear swap. Too high of a gear ratio will cause your RPM to be too low at speed, and actually hurt your fuel economy by making the engine work too hard. If carefully planned, a gear swap can be a great way to reduce your fuel consumption.
6. Disobey the driving instructor. Tailgating, as dangerous as it may be, can decrease the effects of wind resistance and actually make it easier on your engine. Doing so will require less fuel to keep you moving down the road. Tailgating does not have to mean driving only a few feet from the vehicle ahead of you; tests have proven that wind resistance was greatly reduced on vehicles tailgating 100 feet from the vehicle ahead of them.
7. Don't fill it up! Keep your gas tank at half full. It will require you to frequent the gas station more often, but will also greatly reduce the weight of your vehicle. Less weight translates into increased fuel economy.
8. Lose the bling. Big wheels are all the rage, but they are also much heavier than smaller wheels. Reduce the weight of your vehicle, as well as the rotational weight of your drivetrain and gain valuable MPG.
9. Just sweat it. Using the air conditioner and having the windows down both decrease fuel economy. Keep the windows up and the A/C off for maximum fuel savings. Use the vent instead, and don't be afraid to sweat a little.
10. Really want to go extreme? Ditch the A/C and all its components. Save on weight and reduce engine drag.
11. Go green; invest in a more fuel efficient vehicle. Purchasing a diesel, a hybrid, or downsizing could be the best choice for saving on that extra long commute.
12. Lower your vehicle. Lowering your vehicle lowers the amount of aerodynamic drag, therefore increasing fuel economy.
13. Drive under 55 mph at all time. Driving over 55 significantly increases wind resistance and therefore lowers your fuel mileage.
14. Watch out for the wind! Driving into the wind obviously increases wind resistance and therefore makes your engine work harder to keep you at speed. Avoid driving on windy days if at all possible, or your mileage will decline.
15. Seek out the smoothest path possible. Rough roads create more friction between your tires and the pavement. Smooth roads, with lower friction and therefore less rolling resistance, will give you better fuel economy than rough roads will.
