| According to our recent poll, the rising cost of fuel | | | | basic luxuries.While we can't control the price per |
| has caused many families and individuals to | | | | gallon, we can at least follow a few basic |
| restrain from driving habits that we've been so | | | | guidelines and reduce our cost, albeit a minimum |
| accustomed to. Before the fuel cost skyrocketed | | | | amount, but at $3.00 per gallon, even a minimum |
| we wouldn't think twice about hopping in our car | | | | amount will help our pocketbooks.Listed below are |
| for a 50 or 60-mile trip, perhaps to a zoo or | | | | UsedCarWise.Com's Top 10 tips for increasing |
| other recreational area for a leisurely Sunday | | | | your fuel mileage.1. Set the tire pressure to the |
| outing with our families.But by the statements of | | | | recommend psi as per the tire placard or label of |
| those who responded to our poll, it appears that | | | | your vehicle. (Always adjust tire pressure with |
| these leisurely drives are being limited or in some | | | | cold tires)2. Avoid excessive idling times, such as |
| cases, families are simply staying home more.In | | | | warming your car up in the mornings (It serves |
| order to combat his high fuel expense, M. Cooper | | | | no purpose anyway)3. Instead of going thru the |
| from Saint Louis Mo, a consultant that drives | | | | drive thru at fast food chains, go inside to order. |
| 20,000 mile plus per year recently traded in his | | | | This will of course avoid excess idling while in line.4. |
| Ford Taurus for a new Honda Civic that gets | | | | Remove any excessive weight from the trunk or |
| 41mpg.Another consumer stated the fuel prices | | | | bed of your truck (This doesn't include over |
| have drastically changed their life style, they've | | | | weight spouses either)5. Remove luggage racks |
| quit going out to dinner, going to the movies and | | | | for aerodynamic reasons.6. Make sure the |
| even cancelled their vacation plans. What once | | | | steering and suspension system end is aligned |
| cost him 42.00 to fill up his truck, now cost | | | | properly, a mis-aligned steering system will cause |
| $110.00. We have a lot less money than we did | | | | excessive drag and reduce fuel mileage.7. Use |
| before this all started. We've drastically reduced | | | | Cruise Control while driving at highway speeds.8. |
| the amount of driving, only when necessary and | | | | Reduce your speed by 5mph, this may be the |
| have attempted to combine trips, we do not do | | | | biggest saver of all, and if you think about it, |
| any extra driving unless it is for school or work, | | | | 5mph will not get you to your destination much |
| so we stay home much more and do not have | | | | quicker. (Just be prepared for 1 finger hello's and |
| extra money NOW!Matt Downer from Downers | | | | horn honkers)9. Make sure your vehicle is properly |
| Grove, Illinois seems to have at lease somewhat | | | | maintained, especially the air filter. If your check |
| of a positive spin on the situation. I've become a | | | | engine light is on, have it corrected as soon as |
| lot more in shape because I walk everywhere or | | | | possible, it could be a defective sensor or other |
| bike, I think it's a blessing in disguise, America is | | | | mechanical fault that will severely impact fuel |
| the most obese country in the world and maybe | | | | mileage. Always use the proper grade of engine oil |
| this will slim it down a bit, also a lot fewer fuel | | | | as well, the wrong grade can impact fuel mileage |
| emissions if people don't drive the earth won't | | | | by 1% or more.10. Avoid jackrabbit starts and |
| die.What ever your thoughts and opinions are for | | | | aggressive driving habits.While the above tips may |
| the recent climb in prices, I think it's clear that until | | | | not be new, they certainly bear not just |
| the prices come down, the majority of the | | | | repeating, but adhering to as well. And with the |
| everyday working class people will be forced to | | | | cost of fuel at record highs, we need all the help |
| continue to deprive themselves of even the most | | | | we can muster. |