Expert
offers tips to make most out of expensive gasoline
Newswise — With gasoline prices hovering
around $3 per gallon around the country, a Purdue expert in energy
conservation says people can make changes to the way they drive to
help make their vehicles more efficient.
Heather L. Cooper, an assistant
professor of mechanical engineering technology, says the rise in gas
prices gives people a good reason to limit the amount of gas they
are using. Even if prices decrease, these strategies can help
drivers to conserve oil, a limited resource.
She offers several suggestions to
improve gas mileage:
* When running the air
conditioner, do so on the recirculation setting to minimize the work
to maintain a constant temperature in the vehicle. In addition,
setting the air conditioner at a comfortable temperature and not
adjusting it will use less fuel than turning it on and off as
needed.
* For pickup trucks, drive with
the tailgate up, rather than down or removed completely. A
well-sealed cover or cap can improve mileage by reducing drag across
the truck bed.
* For longer highway trips, lower
speeds are better. When driving above 55 or 60 mph, gas mileage
drops significantly. Keep the engine load fairly even and use cruise
control to maintain a consistent speed.
* Use less expensive regular
gasoline with a lower octane, as opposed to more expensive premium
options (unless premium is required for your vehicle). Higher
octanes do not provide benefits unless your engine is not working
well.
* Keep tires inflated to
manufacturers' recommendations and make sure your car is in good
working order through regular maintenance.
* Do not allow the car to idle for
long periods. If you expect to be waiting in one place, turn the
engine off.
"When driving in town, it is
difficult to conserve fuel while making a lot of stops," said
Cooper, a former engineer at General Motors Corp. and a researcher
with the Purdue Energy Center in Discovery Park. "People should
remember that driving less also conserves energy and fuel. Try to
combine errands into one or two weekly trips. Plan your trips around
town in advance to minimize distances and eliminate backtracking."
Cooper said even small adjustments
in driving make a big difference in the amount of money saved at the
pump. For example, for someone who drives 15,000 miles a year in a
car that averages 25 miles per gallon, an increase in gas mileage of
only 2 mpg would save more than $120 annually at current gas prices.
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Expert
offers tips to make most out of expensive gasoline