by Anna Bunkley

Created on: October 02, 2009

Almost everyone wants to get better gas mileage (with the possible exception being race car drivers who don't care about gas mileage and would prefer to sacrifice it in order for better acceleration), but since not everyone is in a position to get a new hybrid or electric car, they should take a look at some of the things they can do with their current car to help improve and maximize gas mileage.

The first and one of the easiest ways to help improve your gas mileage is to make sure that your tires are inflated to the proper pressure. Over time, tires tend to slowly lose air, and an under-inflated tire won't grip the road properly and will result in decreased gas mileage.

Another way to help maximize your miles per gallon is to make sure that the air filter on your car's intake system is clean. Over time, dust and debris can collect on the filter which will inhibit the amount of air it brings in. Depending on the type of intake your car has, every so often (generally between every 15,000-20,000 miles or so) the filter needs to be replaced or cleaned. Typically stock intake filters will be replaced, and aftermarket performance intake systems can be cleaned with a special cleaning solution and oil that came with the filter or is available from the manufacturer.

There is some debate about using the air conditioner vs. having your windows open as they relate to fuel efficiency. The air conditioner will use a little power from the engine and will slightly decrease gas mileage (although there is more of a decrease on older cars), but having the windows open will increase drag which will also hurt gas mileage. But you really can't put a price on being comfortable, so do whichever you prefer; they're both about the same as far as fuel efficiency goes.

Another thing you can do which is often overlooked is to clean out all that stuff in your trunk that you're not using. Extra weight means more work for the engine to do which means worse gas mileage. Think about it: which would be easier for you to do: push a wheelbarrow full of bricks, or that same wheelbarrow except it's empty?

Finally, there are some products that may increase your gas mileage, such as Fuel Doctor, which plugs into your cigarette lighter and electronically works to increase fuel milegae and decrease emissions.

By doing some of the things in this article, you may notice increases in your gas mileage, which will lead to savings in your wallet.

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