Coasting

Coasting is going to be your new best friend, if you are looking to save additional money on gas. When I drive in the city, I try my best to anticipate the traffic lights. If I see a red light, there is no point of accelerating and having to come to a complete stop, instead I coast and minimize the time I come to a complete stop. If I time myself and the lights correctly,  I will coast and not have to come to a complete stop. By using the coasting method, I lower my chances of having to make a complete stop. By the time I reach the traffic light, it usually changes green and I accelerate lightly to the speed limit. Whats better; going from 0-40mph or 25-40mph? 25-40!!! Be careful, because drivers may not know your intentions, they may not understand what you're trying to perform, you might get honked at. So check your rear view mirrors when coasting. Each time you press the accelerator you waste gas to move your car, braking  just destroys that effort that was created and most important your money.

Idling

Idling is one of the worst enemies for a modern vehicle and it will cost you. Ever heard of having to warm up a car when its cold? That was true for carburetor engines, but not so true for modern fuel injected engines. Now fuel injected engines get hot pretty quickly and are ready to use seconds after a start-up. On a cold morning, you can let the engine idle for 30 seconds, any prolonged time is just a waste of gas. The best way to warm up the engine is to just drive it, this way it will get hotter quicker and the heat is distributed equally along the motor.

When coming to a stop, your car is getting  0 mpg, that's right ZERO!. Drive-trues are also gas wasters, its is better to go inside and order your food.  IF you're waiting in your car for more than a minute, turn the car off, its a waste of gas. In my quest to save money on my gas, I avoid drive-trues, unnecessary warm-ups when the engine is cold, I turn off the ignition when i stop on red lights and only if I know that I am going to be there for more than a minute. In other words, I anticipate how long I'm going to be at that stop and if its worth it to turn of the ignition. Turning off the car while coming to a stop is an advanced driving method. Turning off the car will disable your power steering, due so with caution and at your own risk. Saving gas even means turning off the car once in a while. How do it? Read the next post.

How do you drive?

In order to start saving gas you will need a  good foundation. A first foundation  is the vehicles current condition. A car that is well maintained is more reliable, efficient, and will have longevity. Every car has its own limits, but its the driver that sets those limits. To increase your  gas mileage will have to start practicing new behaviors starting when you turn on the car and turning it off. I am a hypermiler. A hypermiler is a person who uses driving techniques to maximize their gas mileage. I make it a habit, a consistent effort to hypermile each time I drive. Hypermiling pays for itself and it doesn't make me decide whether I should give my arm or my leg at the gas station. Every time the car comes to a complete stop whether it is in "Neutral" or "Park", your car is getting 0 mpg. Idling is not good for the engines because the heat is not circulated properly, so it will build hot spots. Newer engines don't require to be warmed up, 10 seconds at most is good enough. The car will warm up faster if it is driven because the heat is circulated and not isolated. Here are some quick tips.

1. If you come to a red light, place the gear on neutral instead of Drive. The car uses more energy in the drive position and power is lost by having the car stopped.
2. If you are going to wait for more than 30 sec. turn off the car.
3. Do not wait to warm up the engine, fuel injected cars will warm faster if it is driven.
4. Go easy on the pedal.
5. Avoid braking. Using the brakes wastes fuel. Obviously you will have to brake at certain moments, many people use their brakes more than they have to.

Oil

Every car out there has its recommended oil weight by the manufacturer. The grade of the oil can make a difference in how the engine runs. If the oil is too thin then it may cause the valves to work harder to give the same amount of power. The valves may move faster but there is no engine response which can cause lagging.  In addition if the oil is too thick then your engine may have a difficult time moving the valves. Having the proper grade oil may change the way your engine performs and ensuring its longevity. Not only does a car need its proper oil grade, it needs to have it oil filter replaced constantly and consistently. The oil filters trap the particles that may harm the engine.  The precise oil-grade your car needs depends on its mileage, altitude, temperatures, the ways its driven, the engines condition, and the cleanliness of interior components. If the engine is not clean it can lead to engine failure, sludge will begin to form and prevent the engine from working properly. My cars recommended oil grade is "5-30", given the condition the engine is it may reach its peak performance with let's say a "10-30". The "10-30" may be a little thicker but it is recommended for my car because it is an older-mileage car. Having the oil changed regularly will prolong the longevity of the engines life.

Spark Plugs

 Spark plugs in a car are one of the things that give life to your engine. These devices ignite the pre-mixed air and fuel to cause a combustion. Its this combustion that moves your engine forward. Depending on the car you have, the access to the spark plugs may be easy or difficult to reach. Replacing the spark plug can be easy depending on their location. Replacing the old spark plugs can tell you many things about your engine. A spark plug can be fouled, burnt, rusted, have deposits or be normal.

1. To start off, the negative battery terminal is the first to be removed, you don't want to be electrocuted.
2. Next the spark plug wires are removed from each slot (be careful not to get them mixed) using a spark plug tool.
3. The new spark plugs are then replaced, the spark plug wires are placed in their corresponding slot. 4. The negative battery terminal is then reconnected.

Depending on the condition of the spark plug, replacing a spark plug will give a stronger spark, increased efficiency, better fuel economy and more power. On the plus side  they do not have to be removed so often like a oil filter but are a bit pricey if you're looking quality. Please click on my ads to help me add more content for my readers.

Ground Wires

One system of the car that is overlooked is the electrical system of the car. Everything that powers your car electrically from headlights, stereo, to your spark plugs all require ground wires. The job of the ground wires in the car is to reduce electrical resistance and allow a free flow of electrons. If your car is not properly grounded, it will have more electrical resistance. Where are the ground wires? If you ever noticed any skinny cables connected from certain parts of the engine to the chassis? The contacts of your car should be clean of any rust or paint. If your car is not properly grounded then your will notice a slight difference in your car if you clean up your ground wires. Your cars electrical system will respond faster, so your car's computer can make quicker decisions and be more efficient. Other companies offer their own version of ground wires, but if you're on tight budget like me, you can improve your cars electrical system for free!

Ground wires of the battery and the computer.

Transmission ground wire.

Ground wire of the the headlamps.

Throttle body ground wires

Clean battery terminals.

In order to perform this job you will need a knife or a razor blade, a wire brush works best and most likely a 10mm socket to unbolt the screws and around 30 minutes of your time.
 
1. REMOVE the negative terminal cable from the battery in order to prevent any electrical hazards.
2. Find any ground wires on your car and inspect for a proper contact.
3. If you find any wires disconnect them using the 10mm wrench.
4. Carefully scrape off any paint off the surface until bare metal is seen.
5. Also clean the ground wire if it seems dirty.
6. Ensure all connections are clean and reconnect the wires to their proper location.
7. Reattach the negative terminal once you are done!

The benefits of this job will result in a better throttle response, less electric noise, stronger radio signal, quieter idle, faster starts, a louder stereo, faster computer response, smoother shifts, brighter headlights, brighter dashboard and slightly increased mpg. It all depends how many grounds you work on. As I have mentioned in my previous post, your battery will last longer if you regularly inspect the connections and they should be free of any dirt. Check your ground wires!

Paying too much for gas?

My mpg varies varies from 26-32, on average I get ~28mpg. The lower your mpg the more you have to stop at the gas pump and spend more money. In addition, if you have a higher mpg you stop less at the gas pumps and spend less money. Before I used to fill my tank every week, so I was spending around 200-300 on gas each month. Now, I fill up 2-3 times a week, meaning I spend around 90-140 on gas every month.  To me spending 90-140 versus 200 is a save. These trips to the gas pump can accumulate and make you spend more more than you have to. I will give you examples of how much money you are  spending depending on your mpg. For example, if I got 30 mpg, over the next 5 years I would spend $8,772.50.  The reason I chose 3.509 is because I know over the next years gas prices are not going down, over the years sooner or later we are going to hit the $4 average. Here are MPG costs for 5 years based on the variables of traveling 300 miles each week and gas priced at 3.509:

15  MPG: $17,545
20 MPG: $13,158.75
25 MPG: $10,527
30 MPG: $8,772.50
35 MPG: $7,519.29
40 MPG: $ 6,579.38
45 MPG: $5,848.3
50 MPG: $ 5,263.5

These costs all add up in the long run. My car averages 21.5mpg according to the EPA, currently I am averaging 28 mpg. That means that I would  be SAVING $2,834 over the next 5 years! That's a lot of money. Whats your mpg costing you? Please help me with one click on  any ad. Thank so much for taking the time to read my material.

Battery

The cars battery is essential for it starting. Dirty terminals can have detrimental effects on the batteries life. A weak battery can cause hard starting and force the car to use more of its alternator power. When the car runs it relies on the alternator to operate the electrical equipment and charge the battery. It is important for the terminals of the battery to be clean and free of any corrosion. If the terminals are clean and it is properly grounded, then your battery can last you more than its life expectancy.

Positive terminal.

For my car, I cleaned the battery posts of each terminal and the cables as well. Depending on the make of your car, you may notice there is another wire connecting from the negative wire to the chassis or you may have a single wire.

My cars negative cable is grounded to the chassis. I noticed the terminal were not conducting properly. The connection of the chassis had paint on it, meaning that the electricity was not being properly grounded. What I did first was to remove the battery connections in order to prevent myself from being shocked. I then scraped of the paint of the surrounding area to the bare metal. In addition, I made sure everything was clean, I reconnected the wires to their proper place. By having routine battery check-ups, your cars battery will last longer and you will save money replacing the battery.

Notice to the reader

As I have stated in my blog description, the main factors affecting your gas mileage is your cars maintenance and your driving behaviors. First I want to describe all the mechanical components that affect your car and then I will move onto driving behaviors. If your car is not running where it should be, then your quest to increase your gas mileage becomes difficult. Having your car in top condition is essential to its life. If you plan on keeping your car or cannot afford costly car troubles, it is best to check it before it can lead to further problems. When a car is running well it is more reliable, remember a car is like a girlfriend, if you don't take care of her she will not take care of you! A car that is well maintained will have less problems and have less unexpected problems in the future. Check those sensors and change those filters. Once your car is running in top shape, you will be ready to save even more money!

Gas cap

Are you letting your gas escape? The gas cap can be a culprit of letting your gas escape. It could be releasing tiny amounts of gasoline and you may not even know about it.  Each year million gallons of gasoline are released from bad gas caps. If you notice any cracks or the rubber threads hardening, it is time to buy a  new gas cap.  Having a bad gas cap will decrease your gas mileage. Next time you fill up on gas, carefully check your gas cap.

The Shade?

Here's a quick tip you can use to save gas. Park in the shade. Gasoline evaporates very quickly, if you leave your car in the hot sun you can bet gas is escaping slowly. If you park your car in the shade, your car stays cools and so does your gas. Park your car in the shade whenever you can!

The Environment

You might ask yourself what does the environment have to do with mpg? Both may seen to have no relationship at all. By merely trying to increase your mpg, you are contributing less pollutants in the air. Each day we humans contribute to all forms of pollutants. By increasing our cars gas mileage you are SAVING money and the environment. Having a higher mpg means less emissions from cars, less dependence on foreign oil, and less visits to the dreadful gas stations.. We can all do our part to reduce our cars emissions one step at a time. If every person had a higher mpg, then there would be less air pollution being emitted into the air. Alone we are weak, but united we are strong.

Air?

How is air important to a cars gas mileage? In order or a car to create energy they need air, fuel and a spark. Using these three ingredients a car can create energy and move forward. In the combustion process a certain amount of air and fuel is needed, the ratio is 14.7 to 1. Meaning for every 14.7 of air the cars computer will use 1 of fuel. If a car uses less air it is considered to run rich and if it uses more air it runs lean. The ratio of this air/fuel ratio is very important in a cars performance. This is why every sensor that measures air needs to be clean in order for the car to run efficiently at its peak performance. I will show you the manner in which the air enters the air snorkel and out the muffler using pictures.

1. Air is first sucked in via the air snorkel.

2. Air is filtered in the air box.

3. The MAF sensor  measures how much air is available.

4. Air is taken to the air intake.

5. Throttle body measures the air coming in.

6. The measured air is taken into the intake manifold.

7. The air and the fuel is ignited by the spark plugs.

8. Excess gases that builds up in the engine

 is released via the PCV valve to be burned again.

9.  The exhaust is released via the exhaust manifold.

10. The exhaust readings are measured by the oxygen sensors.

11. The EGR Valve recirculates the excess exhaust to be burned again.

12. The exhaust travels via the exhaust system and through the catalytic converter.

13. The exhaust is released out  the muffler.

And that's how air comes in and out your car!

EGR Valve (Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve)

The EGR Valve (Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve) is a system that controls the cars emissions. Specifically, it reduces NOx emissions.The way it does this is by retrieving a specific amount of exhaust that is being release back into the intake manifold(combustion chamber). Furthermore, it allows for the fuel to be completely burned and for the car to efficiently. The EGR valve is one of the most common causes for emissions testing. The car will have a rough idle and poor acceleration when the EGR valve begins to fail.The EGR valve is not something to be replaced like an oil filter, but needs to checked when it starts to fail.

EGR Valve

PCV Valve (Positive Crankcase Ventilation)

Some cars have a PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system and the main component is the PCV valve. Inside the engine(crankcase) byproducts and gases are released and it creates pressure, this is why its sealed in order to prevent gases from escaping into the atmosphere. This is where the PCV system comes into play.When enough pressure is created, the gases are released via the PCV valve to be burned again.

The PCV Valve.

The PCV valve and hose.

When the PCV valve starts to fail, you may notice more white fumes coming out of your exhaust pipe.  Replacing the PCV is very simple and they are very cheap. The old valve is removed and replaced with the new valve. A PCV valve that is not working properly will steadily decrease your gas mileage and destroy the engine itself if it is neglected. PCV valves should be replaced or checked every 30,000 miles.

Oxygen Sensor

All cars now have oxygen sensors, newer cars are beginning to have AFR (air-fuel ratio) sensor. The oxygen sensors were created in order to reduce pollution and increase fuel economy in a car. Oxygen sensors are the most important sensors in your car, they reduce the pollution that is emitted from your vehicle. They ultimately tell your cars computer how much fuel to use and are always working to make your car as fuel efficient as possible while emitting less pollutants. It is one of the sensors that is often overlooked and not serviced. Depending on your car you may have 2 or more oxygen sensors in your car. They are located before and after the catalytic converter.  The oxygen sensors live in  a harsh environments, overtime they accumulate carbon soot, they will become "sluggish" which takes it longer to operate, and their performance will deteriorate.

Bottom view of the oxygen sensor before the catalytic converter.

Top view of the oxygen sensor before the catalytic converter .

Oxygen sensor after the catalytic converter.

For cars after the 1990's, the oxygen sensor needs to be replaced every 100,000-150,000 miles. Having this sensor ignored can lead to big $$$ problems and your car to run poorly. The problem may not be noticed at first because it is a gradual process.  It will have less power, hesitate, run rich(meaning it will use more fuel than necessary), will emit more pollutants and spend hundreds on related problems.  Replacing the oxygen sensor is relatively easy and costly job to do, but it will return your cars engine peak performance. If you plan on keeping your car for years, this is as good investment that can save big $$$ on the future, save you gas and your car will run smooth and efficient. You can expect to spend around $50-400 depending on the number of oxygen sensors your car has. You will also need an oxygen sensor removal tool. You can find a cheap oxygen sensor removal tool online. I will walk you through these steps if you are do-it-yourself person and feel comfortable working on your car. Depending on the location of your oxygen sensor this can be a difficult or easy job. You may have to remove other parts to reach the sensor or  you can have an easy reach. To avoid any complications, ask  the attendant if the sensor already comes with wires, otherwise you will spend more time cutting wires and guessing where each wire goes. Before you begin, it is important that the engine is cold otherwise you can burn yourself. Ive been burnt myself and its not pretty.

1. Buy the proper tools at your local auto store.
2. Disconnect the negative battery terminal in order to avoid any possible electric shocks.
3. Locate you oxygen sensor and use the special tool to remove it. It may be difficult to remove  the sensor, so it does require some elbow-grease (strength). If the sensor is "stuck" turn on the engine long enough to warm the surrounding area of the oxygen sensor in order for the metal to expand and loosen the threads.
3. Re-insert the new oxygen sensor and apply anti-seizing grease on the threads. Tighten the sensor all the way, but dot use excessive force to tighten it.
4. Reconnect the wires to their original socket.
5. Connect the negative battery terminal.

Oxygen can very pricy. To get the cheapest price I would recommend Amazon.com because they can offer you the lowest price for an oxygen sensor. I received both of my oxygen sensors for 100 US dollars. If I would have gone to my local auto store I would have spent around 170 US dollars. Good luck!

IAC (Idle Air Control)

The IAC (idle air control) is a little motor that regulates the air that is coming into the car. For example, the IAC is used when the car is in neutral, parking position or when you come to a stop. The IAC controls the rpm in your car by open or closing its valve, and it is controlled by the computer. The IAC valve over time gets dirty and will cause your car to run poorly. Possible symptoms of a bad IAC is irregular rpms, car stalling, and it will cause you to waste more gas than necessary. There are two ways to service the IAC, either clean it or replace it(if cleaning it doesn't work). The IAC is located outside the throttle  body.

IAC attached to the throttle body.

Cleaning the IAC is very simple job to do.
1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Remove the air intake from the throttle body.
3. Disconnect the wire harness from the IAC.
4. Remove the IAC with a screwdriver.
5. Clean the metal tip of the IAC with a carb cleaner.
6. To re-assemble it follow the instructions in reverse.

If cleaning the IAC does not work, you may have a faulty IAC and you will need to replace it. If you had a dirty IAC and you've cleaned it, you will notice a difference in your car, it will run smoothly and save you money each time you come to a standstill! Having a clean IAC will help you maintain your cars mpg and will keep your car at its optimum, while a dirty IAC will decrease your gas mileage. If you liked what you read, please donate with a couple clicks on my ads and it will help me add valuable content to my site. Whats your cars idle speed?

Throttle Body

Top view of the throttle body with the air intake attached.

The throttle body is one of the most important components in a internal combustion engine. All cars with fuel injectors have a throttle body. The job of the throttle is to regulate the amount of air flowing into the combustion chamber. The throttle body is controlled by your foot, each time you press on the accelerator you "pump" in air into the combustion chamber where it is ignited by the spark plugs.

The throttle body with the air intake removed.

The throttle body has a plate that over time will accumulate oil, gum and varnish. A dirty throttle body will cause rough starting, rough idling, loss of power, and hesitation. I will show you how you can easily service this part and immediately notice a better throttle response. Cleaning the throttle is a simple 30 min job anybody can do, You will need a screwdriver or a 10mm socket, a throttle body  or carb cleaner, rags  and  a toothbrush(optional). Some throttle bodies may need a special cleaner because of the special coating it has, it has one it will have a  warning label, Ford usually has a warning label on their throttle bodies.

The opened throttle body.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Remove the air intake from the throttle body.
2. Have someone press and hold the accelerator cable, or you can place anything heavy on the accelerator cable if you are working alone. For example: a dumbbell may work just fine.
3. Spray inside the throttle body, don't be afraid to get it soaked.
4. Clean inside with a rag. You may use a toothbrush to deep clean. Just don't loose it inside!
5. Try to clean everywhere you can inside and leave it as clean possible.
6. You will have to let the throttle body air dry or other wise you may have a hard time starting the engine.
If you experience a hard start, this is perfectly normal, the engine may run rough at first but that is the cleaner being burnt off.
7. Reattach the air intake and reattach the negative terminal of the battery. I asked you to take off the battery terminal because the ECU (computer) needs to be reset in order for it to react to the changes.


Depending on how dirty your throttle body is, you might see a night and day difference in your car or you may not feel anything at all if its already clean. Throttle body cleaning is a service that is required over time and can be costly. You can do this for the price of 5 dollars and 30 minutes of your time. Keep those plates clean! If you're comfortable with your mechanical skills you can take this further and take apart the throttle body assembly and get better access in those hard to reach places.  A new gasket may be needed if the throttle body is removed.

Mass Air Flow (MAF)

The Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF) in a car responds to the amount of air flowing through the air intake. Most cars have this, others may have a Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor (MAP) sensor. The MAF sensor has a thin wire that gets hot and measures the amount of air flowing into the engine. The computer then reads this accurate data and makes decisions based on this data. Over time, the sensors can accumulate dirt and oils which can reduce its accuracy. It may cause the engine to have a rougher idle, a slower throttle response, and torque converter slips.

Buying a MAF cleaner can be bought at your local auto store for about 5 dollars. This is simple 10 minute job that anyone can do. Depending on your car you may need a 10mm. socket, a Philips screwdriver or a Flathead screwdriver to remove the air intake. The air intake is removed from the air filter box. Or the MAF can be pulled out depending how it was built in the system. The cleaner is simply sprayed on the hot wires and let to dry. To finish the job, just assemble everything the way it was.

Side view of the MAF sensor with the air intake removed.

The MAF sensor reads the temperature and the amount of air flowing in the air intake. A clean MAF sensor will keep your mpg at its optimum, while a dirty MAF sensor will decrease your gas mileage. The voltage readings from the MAF Sensor are the first to be calculated in the air/gas ratio. Once the data is registered the computer sets the parameters for the combustion process in order to achieve maximum efficiency therefore saving you money and gas. If you liked what you read, please feel free to look at my other articles that can help you gain knowledge, save money, maintain your cars performance, save gas, and pollute less CO2 in  our environment. A click on any ad will be greatly appreciated as I will look for advanced methods of  gas mileage increment,.

The Air Filter

This is the also one of the easiest jobs a person can do to their car. A car with a clean air filter is a happy car. Depending on the make your car you may need a screwdriver in order to open the air filter box.  A dirty air filter is restrictive and forces the car to use more fuel. A car needs a clean air filter in order to breathe clean air. 

K&N High Flow Air Filter

Depending on your budget you may need an paper air filter that can go for  15-50 dollars depending of the make your car or you can buy a K&N High Flow Air Filter and never have to worry about replacing another air filter. I chose to buy a K&N Filter because they stay for the life of your car and it sure beats having to buy more air filters. They claim to increase gas mileage and horsepower gains because it is less restrictive and allows more air flow into the engine. In my car I've noticed a 1 mpg increase, my accelerates faster and the exhaust sounds more "throaty". It is important for the car to receive the adequate of air in order to operate in normal conditions, check your air filters. If you hold the air filter next to the sun and you cannot see past it, then its time for a new air filter. Having a clean air filter will help the car perform better and protect it from harmful contaminants.

Tires

In my previous posts, I listed the factors that would increase or decrease your gas mileage. In this post you will learn how tires can affect your gas mileage. One of the first things that can be checked in 30 seconds, are your tires. Your tires are the only thing that come in contact with the ground. Having under-inflated tires will lower your gas mileage, it will cause your car to use power, waste more gas, have decreased stability at high speeds and not safe. Having properly inflated is safer and will save you gas. Let me give you an example, when a bike has under-inflated tires, it is harder to pedal and when the tires are inflated. its more easier to pedal. The same concept applies to your car. By inspecting your tires and having them properly inflated you are saving money.

My aerodynamic rims.  ; )

Personally, I over-inflate my tires by 10-PSI. It creates less rolling resistance but it also makes the car feel stiffer. I do not endorse over-inflating your tires because it can cause to tires to explode and void any warranties you may have for your tires. Do this at your risk, I am not responsible for anything that may result from having over-inflated tires. An increase of 5 psi, should not be considered as "bad".
The aerodynamics of the tires can be further increased  by having the wheel fully covered as shown in the picture. The last important thing is having tires with proper tire thread, they grip the road. A car that has no tire thread is dangerous because the tire may explode and they don't grip the road well. The expensive part is replacing all your tires. Whats your cars current PSI reading?

What will increase your mpg?

The following factors will improve your gas mileage.

                   

Increase MPG

1.  A properly maintained car.

2. Calm and consistent driving behaviors and habits.

3. A device that gives you feedback on your driving such as a ScanGaugeII.

4. Clean fuel injectors and fuel system.

5. A clean air filter.

6. Spark Plugs and spark plug wires.

7. Properly inflated tires and the tire thread.

8. Get the junk out of the trunk, the less weight in the car the better.

9. A clean throttle body.

10. A new fuel filter.

12. Clean ground wire terminals.

13. Driving the speed limit and maintaining constant speed.

14. Anticipating  the red or green lights ahead of time.

15. Coasting. This is your new best friend.

16. Proper engine oil weight.

17. Low rolling resistance tires.

18. A block heater (optional).

19. Driving without shoes. Professional NASCAR racers wear thin soles on their feet to feel the cars response more accurately, so their shifting times are more precise.

20. Not using the AC.

21. Keeping your windows closed.

22. Taking off your antenna(optional). It creates a slight aerodynamic resistance.

23. Regular PCV valve changes.

24. A Wholesale card, (cheaper gas prices).

25. Not driving is the best method to give you infinite mpg.
26. Clean EGR Valve.
27. Cold Air Intake* and Turbochargers*.
28. The closer your car is to the ground the more aerodynamic it is.
29. Slowing down immediately when a red light is seen, by the time you reach the stop the light will most likely change to green.* You will see many cars rush to a red light and suddenly brake.



* There is skeptism if an Cold Air Intake or a turbocharges would improve their mpg. Each car is different and reacts differently to upgrades. The automakers already tried to build the car to its maximum efficiently. If these upgrades are beneficial then why don't the cars they produce have cold air intakes and turbochargers? Some diesel cars actually benefit from having a turbocharger,

What will decrease your mpg?

I will make a list of the factors that will lower your gas mileage and make you spend more money.

1. A  car that is not well maintained.

2. Aggressive driving behaviors, such as jackrabbit start and hard braking.

3. Under inflated tires and also low tire thread. Your car will use more fuel to move forward.
4. A dirty fuel system and fuel injectors.

5. A dirty air filter.        

6. Old spark plugs... they can cause hard starts, hesitations, misfires and poor fuel economy.

7. Having junk in the trunk. :) Having unnecessary weight, your car uses more fuel to carry that extra weight.

8. A dirty throttle body, it can reduce throttle response, loss of power.

9. A poor ground wire system, they reduce electrical resistance which slightly reduces how well the engine runs.

10. Driving over the speed limit. Each 5mph over the speed limit can cost your more gas versus actually maintaining the speed limit.

11. Braking, each time you break you use fuel to stop the car.

12. Once you come at a standstill every car gets ZERO MPG (unless if you have a hybrid)! Waiting at red lights gets you ZERO mpg and is a complete waste of gas. The same gas your using to keep your engine running, you can use it to keep it moving.

13. Idling is one of the worst enemies of your mpg. More than 25 seconds of idling is just a waste of gas. Its more economical to just turn off the engine.

14. Drive-tru's. If you are going to buy fast food through a drive-thru, be prepared to waste more money on

your gas that is being wasted

 15. Antennas. It creates aerodynamic resistance.

 16. Using the AC.

17. Open windows at high speeds.

18. Driving in reverse.
19. Faulty PCV Valve.
20. Faulty E.G.R. Valve.
21. Jackrabbit starts
22.Lack  of maintenance
23. Braking.
24. Being at a standstill, every car gets 0 mpg when they are not moving.

MPG?

            What is MPG? MPG is the miles per gallon. It is the distance of how far a vehicle can travel per gallon. Your actual mpg may very depending on the kind of vehicle you own, its maintenance and the manner its driven. The cars mpg is very important if you are looking to buy a fuel-efficient automobile. When it comes to mpg, there are many factors that can increase or decrease your gas mileage. They are automotive care, driving behaviors(hypermiling) and consistency. The main key to having a high mpg is consistency because you have to be consistent with your cars maintenance schedule and your driving habits. The side effects of being "mpg conscientious" are longer tire renewals, less engine and  transmission wear, less brake wear and usage, higher service intervals, less visits to the local auto store, lowered probability of an unexpected engine problem, LOWER emissions, less pollution in the EARTH, less dependence on foreign oil, relaxation, peacefulness, increased SAFETY and MORE money staying in your pocket.

You can easily calculate your MPG by taking the total number of miles traveled and the amount of gallons used.  For example, if on my last trip I traveled 400 miles and I used 14 gallons my mpg would be 28.6.  That would mean that on that last trip, I averaged 28.6 miles per gallon. Here's the equation: (400miles/14gallons=28.6mpg). Every decision you make has a consequence or a reward, in this blog I will help you increase your mpg.  My question is what is your mpg?

About MPG (Miles per Gallon)

            Hello, my name is Jairo Antonio Mendoza and I am 28 years old. In this blog I want to show you how to increase your gas mileage change. Like most cars, you most probably buy gasoline for your car just like me and pay for it. I don't like paying for gas, I'd rather use that money for something else. When I first bought my car, it was running in a bad condition, it was wasting more fuel, it was emitting more pollutants into the air and to top it off I was driving like a maniac.

         I had to replace and service many things such as the tires, battery, engine oil/filter, air filter, spark plugs, throttle body, brakes, electric and fuel system. At this time my gas mileage was lower than the EPA estimates and I was paying it with my wallet by visiting the gas pump more than I had too. I've changed my driving behaviors and kept up with the car's maintenance. Furthermore, Ive raised this little car's mpg well over the EPA estimates.  I had a strong urge to learn and it took me a while to increase my gas mileage with my car. 

         I created this sites in hopes that drivers out there can read these articles and improve their gas mileage. With a consistent worldwide effort we can lower our cars emissions and emit less pollution. When I come across a person that does not know about mpg, I can give them a long lecture about mpg. With best regards, I hope you can take something from this site and apply it to your car. Stay tuned for upcoming posts, I will post new material on a weekly basis.

P.S. Drive Safe!