5 Tips On Making Your Car More Fuel Efficient

5 Tips On Making Your Car More Fuel Efficient
With gas prices sky high most individuals who drive are interested in ways they can make their car more fuel efficient and save as much money as possible. While there are no fuel saving tips that will keep your car full of gas without filling up, there are some tips that really can help you save money on fuel over the long run. All of these tips focus on making your car more fuel efficient.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #1 Drive When You Crank Up
This might seem obvious, but as soon as you crank up your car you should drive off. However, many people crank up and leave the car idling for a while. Instead of this, when you crank up drive off and only keep your car running when it is absolutely necessary.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #2 Don’t Ride the Break
Many drivers hit the break more often than is necessary. Additionally there are quite a few drivers that slow down for a braking car when they could easily switch lanes. Not riding the break can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%, so this is a great tip you should follow.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #3 Turn Off Your Car
If you are going to be stopping for more than 10 minutes you should switch off your car to keep fuel efficiency at its peak and not burn more gas than is necessary.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #4 Don’t Turn Off Your Car
If you are only stopping for a brief moment or less than 5 minutes then don’t turn off your car because the amount of gas used to crank up is more than you would burn in that short period of time.

Fuel Efficiency Tip #5 Inflate Tires Properly
Too many drivers never think of their tires, unless one goes flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis.

While gas prices don’t seem like they will be dipping considerably in the next few months every tip to help you make your car more fuel efficient is helpful. So, follow the above fuel tips and you will see that over time your car really is more fuel efficient.

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10 Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency
10 Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency 1] Slow Down On The highway Your car is optimized to drive at 40-60mph(80-100km/hr), when you drive 70-80+mph fuel efficiency drops by up to a whooping 33% . Yes 33% , that is not a typo. I had heard this before and thought it was an exaggeration, then I drove the new Chevrolet Cobalt which has a fuel efficiency gauge in it and I saw it first hand, what a surprise. Is it worth speeding to save 5 minutes off your commute to work so you can just get held up in city traffic? Between the lost fuel efficiency, the extra wear and tear on the car driving beyond optimized speeds and inherent safety concerns I will need a good reason to start speeding on the highway from now on. 2] Cruise In The City The same idea applies in city driving. Speeding up to make the next red light guzzles gas and is hard on your car. This can decrease fuel efficiency by 5%. Why hurry up just to make the next red light? Let’s face it, speeding in the city doesn’t get you anywhere’s faster. If you drive like a bat out of hell you might make an extra light or two and chop a mere 2-4 minutes off your commute assuming you make it there alive. I drive at sane speeds throughout the city while most others fly by me and hard brake at the next red light, I then pull up beside them or even pass them as I may not of needed to stop as the lights are usually synchronized for sane driving speeds not surprisingly (it also takes more gas to get back up to speed than to maintain it). So have some fun watching people fly by you and seeing them at the next red light knowing your car is much better off. 3] Tire Pressure Here’s one everyone can do easily. It only takes a couple minutes to check your tires pressure. Under inflated tires can result in 3% less fuel efficiency. 4] Link Your Trips/Errands Plan your trip to include as many destinations or errands as possible. Fewer trips means less cold starts, better fuel efficiency and less driving than multiple small trips. 5] Avoid Unnecessary Idling. You’re getting 0 mpg for this one. If you’re going to wait 5-10 minutes for a friend give your car and wallet a break. For those who live in colder climates this is a bigger issue. We all want our cars toasty warm in the winter time when we get inside. Today’s cars really only needs 30 second of idling to warm up even in cold weather, then 1-2 minutes of driving to get it fully warmed up. So bundle up and save yourself a bundle. 6] Maintain Your Car Inexpensive oil and air filter changes can boost your cars performance and increase your cars lifespan. A blocked air filter can decrease fuel efficiency by as much as 10% and a misfiring spark plug won’t help either. So try to follow your cars service manual.. It beats dealing with an unexpected major repair and major inconvenience.. 7] Monitor Your Fuel efficiency I like to measure how many miles / KM I get on half a tank after filling it up. It’s easier to measure this way as we don’t let our gas tanks completely run dry and its impossible to estimate how much was left when you fill it up again. You can see how your driving habits affect your fuel economy and if your habits haven’t changed and you fuel economy drops off, then maybe its time for some car maintenance. Purchasing a fuel consumption gauge (if you car doesn’t already have one) can give you real time feedback and more accurate reading. This provides great instant feedback on driving habits. 8] Remove Unnecessary Items From Your Car For each extra 100lbs you lose 1-2% fuel efficiency, so get the golf clubs out of the trunk until your next tee off time. Leaving items on your roof rack also creates extra drag which makes your car work harder, so lock your mountain bikes up till the next trip. 9] Jack Rabbit Starts Some people like to suddenly accelerate by putting their foot to the floor. This guzzles gas and gives marginal speed improvement to a gradual acceleration. 10] Back Off Tail gating results in unnecessary breaking and accelerating. Hang back a little more and you can avoid the added stress and save some gas. It’s also safer to drive this way, give yourself an extra second to avoid an accident !

Paul Fezziwig writes for and administers 'Green Cars Now', http://www.greencarsnow.com , a website devoted to promoting fuel efficient vehicles and better driving habits.

A World First For Fiat - the "Tetrafuel" engine
Ever since it created the first vehicle powered by an engine running on alcohol in Brazil in 1979, the upward trajectory of the Fiat Car Company been has marked by it s trend-setting attitude to design and development. Now, once again, the group innovates with the use of the fuel, by launching the new Fiat Siena 1.4 Tetrafuel, the first vehicle in the world that can use four types different of fuel: ethanol 100%; Brazilian gasoline (that contains a 20% of alcohol); pure gasoline, like that used one in different Latin American and European countries; and natural gas. In addition to being able to use different fuels, the key to the great technological innovation of this new Fiat model is the automization of the process, through an exclusive electronic system, by which the usage of these fuels is alternated, based on conditions, and without any input from the driver. This means that the onboard computer decides what fuel is to be combusted at any given moment, allowing the driver to concentrate on his driving, without needing to think about the fuel type the car uses or about any different controls that he might otherwise have to operate, related to the particular fuel type being used. In other words, the driver does nothing, the computer does it all for him! Developed by Magneti Marelli (nowadays considered the leader in the market of injection systems with a market share of 45%), the electronic management system selects the optimal fuel combustion settings based on each situation, giving priority to the driver. Indeed, when the onboard sensor makes a fuel change, it does it in such a way that the driver will hardly notice, if at all, guaranteeing constant driving conditions and fuel yield in any road conditions. This way, the condition and longevity of the car is protected, even when natural gas is used, and in addition the fuel savings are constantly promoted. Naturally, with the objective of cutting running costs, the first fuel the system will use will be a natural gas type fuel, whenever available. But, when the sensor detects a situation in which greater acceleration is needed, the interchange to liquid fuel is made automatically. The motor will use the natural gas again whenever the system detects that it is the most advisable fuel for that moment. The Tetrafuel system is based on technology called “SFS” or “Software Sensorial Flexfuel” that began its development in 1999 using 100% Brazilian engineering. “We have invested 25 million dollars to make possible SFS and TetraFuel in the Brazilian market “, declared Silvrio Bonfiglioli, engineer and representatives of the Magneti Marelli Mercosul. With Tetrafuel, the intelligent management of fuel usage will be preinstalled at the factory, thereby eliminating a series of necessary technical changes and special equipment for its installation, including replacing the operation button for the system that nowadays exists in Fiat models that are not equipped with the Tetrafuel “multi-fuel” system, to be replaced by the technology of Magneti Marelli. The TetraFuel system is without a doubt one of the best but simplest tools to reduce the high levels of air pollution and contamination in urban centers. This pollution problem affects most of the countries in the world, because of the ever increasing number of vehicles on the road. “The system will be a success in South America and will give rise to an important evolution for European markets, since it will allow the diminution of the carbon dioxide emission (CO2), as well as the dependency on petroleum” declares Bonfiglioli. The SFS computer program is installed in a control box, almost like a simple switchboard. The SFS identifies and quantifies the mixture between the alcohol and the gasoline in the tank, thanks to the information that it receives from the sensors in the fuel injection system, with the Lambda signals created by the system then controlling the engines detonation, rotation speed and temperature sensors. Based on this information, the program determines the amount of fuel that will have to be injected into the motor and also the moment at which the spark must be created to ignite the mixture in the most efficient manner. To discover more on this subjest,visit my site at http://webbiz99.com/cartips/

Steve Cowan is an Asia based businessman and writer,as well as an international racing driver and full time father.To discover more,visit his blog -What s New Today,Stanley?- at http://webbiz99.com/

Take The Extra Mile: Fuel Efficiency Tips
Increases in the price of gas, accompany the increase in the number of fuel-saving scams.

Continuous increase in the price of gas is common news nowadays. This is accompanied by an upsurge in advertising exposures for ?gas saving? gadgets. These products attract potential buyers searching for methods to maximize fuel efficiency.

There are important procedures car owners can take in consideration to improve gas mileage. According to the Better Business Bureau, the public should be critical in assessing products that claim gas saving features for vehicle devices or additives for gas and oil.

There are products that feature gas-saving features that really work. In addition to that, consumers could be facing a major engine trouble or a nullified creator?s warranty by putting devices to the engine.

Consumers should be wary of these specific advertising slogans: ?20 percent fuel efficiency improvement?

A hundred or more devices that feature gas-saving qualities are proven untrue by the Environmental Protection Agency. Worse, there are so-called ?gas-saving? devices that may cause a harmful effect to a vehicle?s engine.

Another side effect is more smoke emissions. Examples of these devices are Engine Modifiers, Additives, Fuel Line Gadgets, Liquid Injection, Vapor and Air Release Devices and a lot more.

?Get an additional 4 miles for each gallon with this product?

Consumer testimonials are common in fuel saving ads. Assuming these testimonials are not made up, few consumers test the fuel consumption of their vehicle before putting on the gadget. Therefore, an objective comparison of the fuel consumption before and after the product was added will not be attained.

?Federal Government Approved?

Keep in mind, a government agency never endorses fuel saving devices. Although EPA has assessed potential gas savings but first the product should be evaluated and tested.

The alternative in looking for gas-saving devices, the BBB suggests that the public should take into consideration doing more than one activity that can help conserve gas. The vital way to begin is to concentrate on the gas pump. The consumer should buy only gas as needed. Make sure to review the car manual to know the proper level of octane of the car.

The following are practical tips to conserve gas:

Efficient driving

Just drive reasonably within the speed limit. Remember that speeds of more than 60 miles per hour increase fuel consumption.

Do not do sudden starts, accelerations and stops. Acceleration should be done gradually. The gas pedal should not be stepped on more than one fourth of the way down. This will allow the engine to function most efficiently. Gas conservation could reach up to 5 percent if sudden stops, jerks and accelerations are avoided.

Make use of gears for overdrive and cruise control as needed. Fuel efficiency is attained when moving on the highway.

Windows should be closed on highways. Windows that are open can create air drag that can decrease the fuel consumption by 10%.

Rough roads should not be taken as much as possible. Dirt, bumps, rough roads and gravels can cause 30% increase in fuel consumption.

Take out unnecessary baggage. The trunk should be kept clean, any gadget, tools or loads that are not needed should be taken out. 100 pounds of extra baggage can affect fuel economy by two percent.

The car should always be maintained. The engine should be given a regular tune up, the tires should always have the right air pressure and efficiently aligned, the oil should be changed when needed and air filters replaced regularly. Clogged filters can affect gas consumption adversely by up to ten percent.

Turn off the engine whenever there is an opportunity. Idle engine wastes fuel. There are instances where the engine could be turned off; stopping for gas, waiting for someone, changing tire pressure, caught in traffic and a lot more.

Engine warm-up fuel conservation tips:

Lengthy warming up of the engine should be avoided. 30 to 45 seconds should be enough time.

Check if the automatic check is removed after warming up the engine. This is usually stuck which could usually cause poor gas and air combination.

Do not rev the engine. This is usually done before turning off the engine. This causes unnecessary fuel loss and also washes the oil within the cylinder walls. As an effect, there is air pressure loss and consequently fuel loss as well.

Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and maintianing the car that is ideal for you. <a href="http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com" title="http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com" target="_blank">http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com</a>

Chevrolet Camaro Delayed Posted By : Anthony Fontanelle
The hype was even upped when the hit movie Transformers was shown on the silver screen and the Chevrolet Camaro played a big part in the movie as the vehicle version of AutoBot Bumblebee. Not that General Motors has already sold units of the vehicle before the actual production started. These Chevy Camaro vehicles seen are actually units on test drives. Each year, the company aims to create 100,000 units of the vehicle.

Preventing Truck Theft: What You Can Do
Every year, hundreds of air brake lock systems are rendered useless and proven ineffective by thieves. In 2005 for example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimated that around $12 to $20 billion worth of cargo and equipment are stolen every year in the country. And with expensive goods (electronics, cards, etc.) being transported on the road everyday and trucks becoming increasingly pricier, thieves that target trucks and tractors are not bound to slow down anytime soon. The only solution is to take preventive measures to protect your investment and cargo. Here are some basic tips you can follow to ensure you won t fall prey to the many truck thieves that lurk around the parking lot: Never leave your key inside the ignition. You might be in dire need to use the bathroom, but believe me when I tell you that the few seconds it will take to remove the key and put it in your pocket is worth the discomfort. Take extra precautions before you travel by finding out which places along your route have high crime rates. Avoid these areas if you can, but if passing through them is an absolute imperative, then jus be doubly careful than you would normally be. Take alternative routes once in a while. This prevents thieves from being able to map out your routine and plan a robbery attack against you. When stopping for a meal, park your truck in a spot visible and accessible from where you will be sitting. It s also best if you choose where you take your breaks and avoid stopping in restaurants or stations with a questionable reputation. Don t leave a running tractor unattended. Doing this is like giving crooks an open invitation to rob you and drive away with your vehicle. Make it harder for thieves to steal your truck by putting protective bars on the passenger side window, the side that, according to reports, most thieves enter the vehicle from. Install a reliable security system to protect your car. There are many vehicle protection devices available on the market today. One of the most affordable and effective car protection devices today is the air lock security system. The security device prevents theft by blocking an air line from the air brakes. This means unless the truck driver deactivates the system, the vehicle will not move and your investment and cargo will remains safe. Yes, you may have installed tracking device in your truck to let you know where it is at all times and you may fully trust the policemen in your town/city, but remember that an ounce of prevention is always better that a pound of cure. Take these safety precautions and keep your truck (and investment) safe. Visit this site for more information on air brake lock systems .

you may have installed tracking device in your truck to let you know where it is at all times and you may fully trust the policemen in your town/city, but remember that an ounce of prevention is always better that a pound of cure. Take these safety precautions and keep your truck (and investment) safe. Visit this site for more information on <a href=http://www.airbrakesecurity.com/index.html> air brake lock systems </a>.

The Evolution of the Diesel Engine Posted By : Dennis James
The talk about finding new alternative energy sources for our cars is not new. In fact, scientists and car engineers had begun finding ways to either use energy sources, or to optimize existing engine solutions.

Diesel Fuel Quality Is A Question Not A Guarantee
Diesel engine designs striving to increase engine performance have made great advancements in engine fuel delivery to the combustion chamber. Today’s diesel engine is quieter, smoother, and more powerful. But today’s diesel engine owners are overlooking one important factor. The quality of today’s diesel fuel has not advanced at the same rate as the engine improvements.

Diesel fuel begins to deteriorate as soon as it is produced. Within 30 days of refining, all diesel fuel regardless of brand, goes through a natural process called re-polymerization and oxidation. This process forms varnishes and insoluble gums in the fuel by causing the molecules of the fuel to lengthen and bond together. These components now drop to the bottom of the fuel tank and form asphaltene also known as diesel sludge. The fuel begins to turn dark in color, smell bad, and in most cases causes engines to smoke. The engines smoke because some of these clusters in the early stages are small enough in size to pass through the engine filtration and into the combustion chamber. As these clusters increase in size, only part of the molecule gets burned. The rest goes out the exhaust as unburned fuel and smoke. With increases in cluster size they begin to reduce the flow of fuel by clogging filters. The filters only address the symptom and not the cause.

It is estimated that eight out of every ten diesel engine failures have been directly related to poor quality and contaminated fuel. The build-up of contaminates in the fuel systems and storage tanks can quickly clog filters, thus resulting in engine shut down, fuel pump wear, and diesel engine damage.

Understand that most fuel has some amount of water in it from either condensation or vents. This threat requires that we realize the added burden placed upon diesel fuel as opposed to gasoline. Gasoline acts as a fuel only. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, also must cool and lubricate injection system parts. These parts are engineered to very close tolerances - up to 0.0002 of an inch - and any contamination means rapid part wear. Water displaces the diesel fuel. When the fuel is displaced wear occur because lubrication is now absent.

Water that enters the combustion chamber results in even more serious damage. When it comes in contact with the heat of the combustion chamber (in excess of 2000 degrees F), it immediately turns to steam and often explodes the tip of the injector. Water causes corrosion of tanks, lines, injectors, and greatly reduces combustibility.

Other areas of concern include the producing more exhaust emissions and effecting EPA standards.

Bacteria also present a serious problem. Bacteria feed on nitrogen, sulfur, and iron that may be present in the fuel or tank.

Then there are algae. There are absolutely no algae in diesel fuel. You may have fungus and microbial contamination but no algae. This is a misnomer for diesel sludge. So if you have a diagnosis of ALGAE and add a biocide, you have done two things, 1) found a mechanic that is wrong and 2) done nothing to fix the problem.

Why is there so much bad fuel?

The number one reason is due to the increased popularity of diesel power and the accompanying increased demand for more diesel fuel. There was a time when diesel fuel remained in the refinery storage tanks long enough to naturally separate and settle, allowing the clean fuel to be drawn off. Now with increased demand, diesel fuel never remains stationary long enough for settling, and the suspended water and solids are passed on to you, the user.

The change in refinery techniques is another problem. In order to get more products per dollar; diesel fuel is now being refined from more marginal portions of the crude oil barrel. This results in a lower-grade product that is inherently thicker and contains more contamination.

Thirdly, current fuel distribution methods also have a negative impact on the condition of the fuel at the time of delivery. In many cases, brokers control fuel sales to major distribution terminals and determine delivery dates. There is no telling how long that fuel has been in the distribution network and how many times it has been transferred. Seldom do these distributors filter the fuel as they transfer it.

The solution: Multifunctional diesel additive packages and hardware.

For your single vehicle or fleet the improvement of fuel quality by the use of additives and current technology is always a good choice.

Many diesel fuel additive packages address the key issues with respect to fuel performance; some improve fuel economy, increase lubricity, improving cold flow, and improve cetane number. And some only address the issue of rust and corrosion, but all should be considered.

Most diesel fuel additives contain combustion improvers that release oxygen during the compression stroke. This allows combustion to start sooner, providing for a more complete fuel burn. A more complete burn provides all the power your fuel and engine is capable of producing. As combustion improvers and you get a smoother running engine, an increase in horsepower that improves fuel economy and the reduction in black smoke emissions.

Cetane is a performance rating of a diesel fuel, a higher cetane number or cetane rating indicates greater fuel efficiency. The fuel’s cetane influences, duration of white smoking after start-up, drivability before warm-up, and intensity of diesel knock at idle. Increase the cetane number of a fuel and you have improved performance.

In diesel fuel systems, the fuel provides lubrication for the fuel pump and injectors. A fuel with poor lubricity can cause excessive wear and premature failure of these components. Improve lubricity and extend engine life.

Diesel fuels have pour points (the lowest temperature at which an oil or other liquid will pour under given conditions) within the range of normal winter temperatures. As a fuel approaches its pour point, paraffin in the fuel form wax crystals that prevent it from flowing. Flow-improver additives modify the wax crystals, lowering the pour point of the fuel and give better cold weather performance.

For on-sight storage tanks other issues must be looked at. On-sight storage tanks always have a small amount of the first gallon of fuel ever put in them, unless it is drained 100% and cleaned. So adding new, fresh fuel always has a bit of the bad added to it every time fuel is purchased. Diluting the bad with good over time is a loosing battle. The fuel will always be bad fuel until the core problem is addressed

The order of treatment for fuel related problems should always begin with a determination of whether there is water in the fuel and if the fuel has microbes (fuel bugs) in it. Water Paste and Fuel Test Kits can be used for this stage of maintenance. If microbes are detected, then the use of biocides is needed. Biocides have no effect on and will not eliminate the sludge problem. Biocides kill bacteria, that’s all!

The water issue should always be remedied first by the use of fuel water separators on the tank or on the equipment. Next a multifunctional chemical additive should be added to improve fuel performance and then if needed a problem specific additive to dissolve diesel sludge and or a rust inhibitor to protect steel tanks. For long-term prevention, the use of magnet fuel conditioners is recommended. These devices continually reverse the re-polymerization of the fuel during circulation and reduce the need for ongoing additive use. All the needed cures are available from Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering at www.dieselcraft.com
Conclusion

There is no good time to find out that your engine won’t operate or that half its life span is gone prematurely because of contaminated or poor quality diesel fuel. Since no one can predict a breakdown, the only safe method is prevention.

Realize now that you do have a problem, and manage it now, or deal with the unexpected catastrophe and reduced equipment life that comes at the absolutely wrong time and is not in the budget!

John T. Nightingale President of Dieselcraft Fluid Engineering, Auburn CA 95604,manufactures of diesel fuel purification systems. <a href="http://www.dieselcraft.com" target="_blank">http://www.dieselcraft.com</a>

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