Spend less at your next fill-up

Source from VehicleMD.com

Link:

http://vehiclemd.com/spend-less-at-your-next-fill-up/

by Amanda Bowman

Many people in the United States have started shifting their focus when it comes to their vehicles. Instead of just wanting the nicest features — heated leather seats, a GPS system and other fine items — they now want the best fuel economy and to help reduce harmful emissions.

Shell Fuels recently conducted a survey that provided insight into the current U.S. driver attitudes on fuel efficiency and compared them to those of international drivers. The following are some of the insightful results they received.

• Americans are more concerned about energy waste compared to other countries surveyed, with half of U.S. drivers bothered by people wasting energy and 54 percent seeing it as a waste of resources beyond just money.

•   U.S. drivers recognize the positive impact of fuel efficiency both financially and out of respect for the planet’s resources. Seventy-seven percent see being fuel efficient as an important way for them to personally use resources in a more sustainable way, while 86 percent also see it as important for saving money.

•   While 63 percent of drivers indicate a willingness to change their driving behaviors to be more fuel efficient, nearly one in three U.S. drivers also indicate they don’t know how to drive more efficiently.

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If you find yourself not knowing how to be more fuel efficient, fear not. Shell Fuels has created a list of 10 simple things you can do to improve your fuel economy.

1.   Drive smoothly — Avoid heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent at lower speeds around town and by 33 percent at highway speeds.
2.   Keep your engine well tuned and repair any problems immediately — If your car has failed an emissions test or is noticeably out of tune, repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by 4 percent on average.
3. Make sure tires are not over- or under-inflated — Proper air pressure cuts down on fuel used while driving. Keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve your gasoline mileage by more than 3 percent.
4. Minimize vehicle drag — Keep your trunk and back seat clear of unnecessary items that only add weight. Removing excess weight can improve your fuel mileage.
5. Use the recommended grade of oil in your engine — Following your manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by up to 2 percent. Look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to ensure it contains friction-reducing additives, if recommended.
6. Choose a high-quality gasoline — Top automakers say that carbon deposits can build up on critical engine parts, which can decrease the power, performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Audi, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen recommend using Top Tier Detergent Gasolines to help keep engines clean.
7. Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic — Maintaining a constant speed can improve fuel mileage.
8. Avoid idling — When you idle, you get zero miles per gallon.
9. Avoid higher speeds — Fuel mileage usually decreases when driving at speeds over 60 miles per hour.
10. Plan your outings to avoid separate trips — Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips. This helps avoid unnecessary cold starts and keeps your car’s engine running warm and more efficiently.