Save Gas This Summer

Summer kicks off next weekend and most of us will be hitting the road. Hitting the road these days, however, means hitting your wallet. Hard. There are some simple things you can do to optimize your gas mileage as you zip off to the beach, woods or lake. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt and gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage. Inflate all tires to proper levels. Proper tire inflation can save you 10%on fuel usage.

Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense. Team up with friends for your big outing and share the gas cost.