Metric Wrench’s BMW, Mercedes and Audi Blog featuring all of the latest information from around the automotive industry, the latest industry news, view expert opinions, or just join discussions about your BMW, Mercedes or Audi with other enthusiasts from around the world.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

How to Improve Your Fuel Efficiency

Summer is fast upon us and so is driving season. We tend to take more road trips to enjoy the nice weather during the summer months. With gas prices so high we wanted to provide you with a few money saving tips to help your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. 1. Remove Excess Weight – get rid of all that junk that you are carrying around like winter snow tires, winter gear, anything that you don’t need in your car. 2. Use Cruise Control Where Appropriate 3. Avoid Sudden Starts and Stops – drive responsible and anticipate when the lights will change to avoid sudden acceleration. By applying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you can reduce both fuel consumption and wear and tear. 4. Check Your Tires – if your tires aren’t inflated properly, it will cost you more money in fuel. 5. Avoid Excessive Idling – It’s not cold outside, so your car doesn’t need to idle to warm up. Idling can consume half-a-gallon (1.89 L) to one gallon (3.79 L) of gas per hour and pumps needless CO2 into the atmosphere. 6. It’s a good time to change out your air filters, this can assist your engine in running more efficiently. 7. Limit Air Conditioner Use – when driving at lower speeds an air conditioner that is on dramatically reduces fuel economy.