Minimizing Gas Usage With Your Car’s Built-In Features

Pressures exerted by the unrelenting sky-high gas prices have made motorists to search for some relief from this burning question. The procedures now being advocated for enhancing fuel economy are nothing new and they have been and are still there although few drivers recognize them on seeing or hearing about them. They are taken for granted because they are so common. We have been trying to get solutions from outer space while having them all right under our noses. Some of the solutions that we are now talking of are available in most vehicles as built in features or options.

In the context of present gas prices, even a small improvement to the gas usage can bring about big savings in the long run. Many drivers have strayed after certain products that claim to improve fuel-mileage significantly at a price. All these additive products have ultimately proved to be nothing more than scams. The best of remedies are the most simple and are available free. They are very obvious, but unfortunately, we have remained oblivious to them.   

Fuel Saving Devices For Auto

Take for instance the feature called the “Cruise Control”. Possibly you have never bothered to learn about it or try it out before. Using this option, you can set an upper limit to your speed so that sudden or accidental pressures on the gas pedal will not push the speed beyond the set limit. Due to this very useful feature you need not be glancing at the speedometer often to see whether you are over speeding.

It also eliminates the possibility of accidentally earning a speeding ticket that could cost you around $ 200. Another advantage is that it conserves gas by making the vehicle proceed at a uniform speed without any accidental or intentional spurts that make the engine work harder.

Make it a habit to use the “Overdrive” option whenever possible to maintain your fuel efficiency at an optimum level. This option makes the gear changes smooth by automatically adjusting the torque to optimum levels for the smooth running of the engine.

Many drivers watch the MPH (miles per hour) gauge quite often, but hardly bother about the RPM (revolutions per minute) gauge that indicates the speed at which the crank is rotating. As you provide momentum to the vehicle engaging the lowest gear, you will notice the RPM registering a high value, which means that the engine is working hard by consuming more gas.

Therefore, make it a point not to stay for long in the lower gears and quickly shift on to higher gears for maximum fuel efficiency. When you are cruising or speeding on high gears, the RPM will generally remain low without the needle straying into the “danger” range. Even on high gears, the RPM could become high only if you increase the speed to a very high level. Get used to keeping an eye on the RPM gauge especially when you are picking up from a low speed or after a complete stop and when you are climbing; for conservation of gas.

Air Conditioner Gas Milage

We discussed 2 positive features above with regard to fuel conservation. The air conditioner, a feature we all love, has to be called a negative feature when on the subject of conservation of gas. When the AC is in use, the engine works harder making it to consume more gas. In order to save fuel (or save money), you will have to refrain from operating the air conditioner except when absolutely necessary. If being without the AC is unbearable, try rolling down the shutters to see if it brings adequate improvement for you to keep from switching on the AC.

Besides a vehicle’s built in special features outlined above, there are many other methods to improve fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Even if you don’t get a significant improvement from any one of those methods, small improvements from different features and methods could add up to give you a significant improvement on gas-mileage. Even if you save roughly two gallons over a single long trip, it could finally add up to a considerable saving over a month.

Resources:
Car built in feature to minimuze fuel consumption
Tips to minimize fuel usage