Sacramento Automotive Enthusiasts – Get Smart With Your Gas

Dec. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Sacramento, CA

Slow down - No matter what kind of car or truck you drive in Sacramento, auto gas mileage drops dramatically at speeds over 60 mph. As a general rule, every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an extra 20 cents per gallon of gas.

Be gentle - Avoid jack-rabbit starts and sudden stops, which can lower your auto gas mileage by 33% on Sacramento highways and by 5% around town, according to the Energy Department.

Lighten your load - Try not to keep unnecessary items in your car, especially heavy ones. Each 100 pounds of extra weight can reduce fuel efficiency by 1% to 2%.

Scout out cheap gas - Check out gasbuddy.com or gaspricewatch.com to find the best prices in the Sacramento automotive http://automotive.sacramentoinsights.com/ metroplex. Wednesday morning is the best time to buy gasoline according to gaspricewatch.com. That's because prices usually move up for the weekend, after which they settle, hitting the low point by Wednesday.

Skip traditional gas stations - Check out wholesale clubs, grocery stores or department stores with gas stations on site.

Keep your car in shape  - Worn spark plugs, low transmission http://sacramentoinsights.com/business/raz-automotive fluid and dragging brakes can suck your gas tank dry.

Avoid idling - A gas-powered car at idle gets zero miles per gallon. If you're not in traffic, but expect to wait longer than one minute, consider turning off your vehicle.

Don't neglect your tires - Keep your tires properly inflated and make sure you have them aligned periodically. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Plus, properly inflated tires are safer for Sacramento auto drivers.

Purify the air - Replacing dirty air filters can increase gas mileage by up to 10%, while also keeping impurities from damaging your car's engine.

Choose the right oil - All oils are not created equal — and that's especially true when it comes to engine oil. Using only the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil cited in your owner's manual can improve your fuel efficiency by 1% to 2%.

Use the right gas - Regular octane works just fine for most cars. However, when your car's manufacturer indicates premium gas is required, using a lower grade could damage your car, adversely affecting fuel efficiency.

Driving style - Changing from an aggressive, hard accelerating, hard braking, driving style to a more relaxed style incorporating gentle acceleration and cruise control on Sacramento auto highways, can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 35 percent, according to an Edmunds.com study.

Article http://sacramentoinsights.com/articles/sacramento-automot... courtesy of North Sac News

Sources: CNN, USAA

# # #

Sacramento Insights is a local online resource that serves to connect consumers and businesses through free business listings, customer reviews, coupons, articles of interest and web banner advertising.