Get Better Gas Mileage This Winter - Simple Tips You Can Use


 by: Scott Babb

Getting the best gas mileage is harder during the winter. Here are a few simple things you can do to improve your winter gas mileage.

Maintain your car. Check your tires to make sure they have plenty of tread. Slipping tires are dangerous and they waste gas. Ask your car dealer or mechanic if you can use a lighter weight oil during the winter to reduce friction and save gas. Consider using a low-friction or synthetic oil to save gas. If it's been awhile since you changed your air filter, check your owners manual to find the recommended changing interval. A new air filter can greatly improve your gas mileage. Consider an after-market low restriction air filter system. Not only can these improve your gas mileage, but they often come with permanent filter media that can be washed or cleaned and reused. The higher cost of the after-market filter can be offset by not having to buy new air filters.

Check your tire pressure. As the temperature drops, so does your tire pressure. Low tire pressure is one of the most common causes of poor gas mileage and it can also wear your tires quicker and make your car handle badly. Check your tires regularly with a tire pressure gauge and make sure they're at the manufacturer's recommended settings. To find the recommended settings look in your owners manual or open your driver's door and look for a sticker on the rear of the door near the latch mechanism. Some cars have different recommended pressures for the front and rear tires. Don't overinflate your tires because that can make them wear out quicker and make your car handle poorly.

Don't run your car's engine to warm it up. This is a common way people waste gas in the winter. See your owners manual for recommended warm-up time for your car. It's usually less than a minute and often less than 15 seconds. Running your car's engine longer wastes gas. If you live in a very cold climate, install an electric block heater to pre-heat your car's engine. Consider bundling up in warmer clothes if comfort is an issue. If you're out shopping, park in a sunny spot and let nature help keep your car warm for your return.

Clear all ice and snow off your car before you start driving. In addition to being a lot of extra weight to haul around, ice and snow can increase wind resistance which also hurts gas mileage. Also make sure you're not dragging around any more weight than absolutely necessary by removing unneeded items from your trunk.

Remove your roof rack. If you use a roof rack for skis, snowboards, or other items, remove the rack when you're not using it to reduce wind resistance. If you must leave the rack on, at least remove the equipment from the rack to minimize the mileage drop. Consider using an aerodynamic box-style container on your roof rack for your winter sports equipment. If you transport sports gear or other items in your trunk or inside your vehicle, remove them as soon as you're done using them to save weight.

Avoid the drive-through. It's convenient to use drive-through lanes for coffee, food, or banking, but all that sitting in line wastes gas. Park your car and brave the cold to walk inside the eatery or bank and you'll save gas.

Bonus: Holiday gift suggestions to help save gas.

* For those on a budget, an accurate dial-type tire pressure gauge should cost you less than $15. Even the entry-level digital gauges are less than $20. Of course if you want a professional-quality gauge with superior accuracy or a digital gauge that tells you your tire pressure audibly, you can spend considerably more.

* If you're shopping on a higher budget, consider a GPS navigator. These electronic marvels listen to radio signals from orbiting Global Positioning System satellites and calculate your location with amazing accuracy. They can display maps, give you step-by-step directions to your destination, and even tell you where to find the nearest restaurant, gas station, or hotel when you're on the road. You'll never have to worry about being lost and you'll save gas by having a computerized navigator to direct you to your destination. The cost? An entry-level GPS navigator is under $90 and they range from there to over $1000 for a top-of-the-line model.

About The Author

Scott Babb is the webmaster of http://www.gas-mileage-tips.com where you'll find many more tips, tools, and resources to help you get better gas mileage, save money, and be kinder to the environment.

Copyright 2005 Scott Babb. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links are left clickable.



How To Save Money By Properly Maintaining Your Car

How To Save Money By Properly Maintaining Your Car


 by: Dr. Drew Henry

Did you know that you can substantially save a lot of money simply by doing a quick 10-20 minute checkup on your car each week? In this article, I will give you the information you need properly maintain your car and saving money that would otherwise be spent on expensive repairs.

My first advice to you is that you need to read and understand your Owner?s Manual for each car that you own. Next, follow the tips below and inspect your car on a weekly basis (should take no more than 10-20 minutes).

- If you can get someone to help you just for minute or two then get them to watch your lights and turn signals to make sure they are all working properly.

- Look at your tires and make sure that they look good without cracks or cuts. You need also to check the air pressure in each tire with a gauge. The tire will have a psi pressure on it and it will also be printed in...

How To Save Money By Properly Maintaining Your Car
Tires > How To Save Money By Properly Maintaining Your Car

Little Things You Can Do To Save Money On Car Fuel

Little Things You Can Do To Save Money On Car Fuel


 by: Dr. Drew Henry

Nowadays, car fuel prices are on the rise and consumers are suffering. Gone are the days when you can carelessly drive your car without worrying about burning up too much gas.

There are important procedures that you, as a car owner, can take in order to improve gas mileage. The following are practical tips to conserve gas:

Close Windows - Windows that are open can create air drag that can decrease the fuel consumption by 10%.

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

Keep Your Car Light - 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.

Drive Efficiently - Just drive reasonably within the speed...

Little Things You Can Do To Save Money On Car Fuel
Tires > Little Things You Can Do To Save Money On Car Fuel

Racing Go Karts: A History

Racing Go Karts: A History


 by: J Larry Alan

Go karts have not been around very long, but they have increased dramatically in popularity. They are fast becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

Go karts were first created in the United States in the 1950s with the majority of historians crediting Art Ingels as the inventor. He built his first go kart in California in 1956 and it was during this post-war period where airmen raced these go karts as a way to pass the time.

They are referred to as go karts, go carts, go-karts, shifter karts, gokarts and many other differently spelled variations. Go karts are related to open-wheel racing such as Formula One and Indy Car. In fact, many top professional race car drivers, including Michael Schumacher, Sarah Fisher, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Kyle Petty, got their start on the go kart racing circuit.

Go kart enthusiasts can easily become addicted to the thrill of racing. Once you?ve experienced...

Racing Go Karts: A History
Tires > Racing Go Karts: A History

Diets Don't Work - 4 Ways To Lose Weight Naturally

Diets Don't Work - 4 Ways To Lose Weight Naturally

 by: Mark Idzik

Any doctor worth their salt will tell you diets don't work. Plain and simple. Surprised?

Well you might be. You can't get away from all the talk about South Beach, Atkins, Low Carb, Zone ... you name it, they're talking about it. It's on TV, in magazines... everywhere you look.

And of course there are the pills, drugs and other expensive methods to lose weight. While they may be appropriate...

diets Tires diets Tires
Tires > Diets Don't Work - 4 Ways To Lose Weight Naturally

Tips On How To Arrange Cheaper Home Contents And Buildings Insurance

Tips On How To Arrange Cheaper Home Contents And Buildings Insurance

 by: Joseph Kenny

If you are looking for tips on how to reduce the yearly premiums you pay on your home contents and/or home buildings insurance policies, the following are some sure-fire ways to do it:

Increase the insurance excess amount

While still maintaining a sensible threshold, why not increase the excess amount on the insurance policy? The excess amount is the amount you...

Tips On How To Arrange Cheaper Home Contents And Buildings Insurance Tires insurance Tips On How To Arrange Cheaper Home Contents And Buildings Insurance Tires insurance
Tires > Tips On How To Arrange Cheaper Home Contents And Buildings Insurance

Diets Don't Work - 4 Ways To Lose Weight Naturally

Diets Don't Work - 4 Ways To Lose Weight Naturally

 by: Mark Idzik

Any doctor worth their salt will tell you diets don't work. Plain and simple. Surprised?

Well you might be. You can't get away from all the talk about South Beach, Atkins, Low Carb, Zone ... you name it, they're talking about it. It's on TV, in magazines... everywhere you look.

And of course there are the pills, drugs and other expensive methods to lose weight. While they may be appropriate...

diets Tires diets Tires
Tires > Diets Don't Work - 4 Ways To Lose Weight Naturally

Picture Frame Crafts For Your Kids Party

Picture Frame Crafts For Your Kids Party

 by: Patricia B. Jensen

One of the most popular party favors is a framed picture of the party guest taken at your kids party. He or she could be showing off a silly hat or party costume, performing an outrageous party game stunt, or wearing a face full of frosting and ice cream.

Having party guests create their own make-and-take frame to display this memorable photo makes it an even greater treasure for the memory...

Tires Get Better Gas Mileage This Winter - Simple Tips You Can Use Picture Frame Crafts For Your Kids Party party Tires Get Better Gas Mileage This Winter - Simple Tips You Can Use Picture Frame Crafts For Your Kids Party party
Tires > Picture Frame Crafts For Your Kids Party

Peer Pressure and Dieting

Peer Pressure and Dieting

 by: Debbie Green

Peer pressure occurs when a group of people or just one person can make an individual feel uncomfortable, leading them to make decisions that they may not otherwise decide to make if they did not have influences in their life. This can affect the way a person thinks, dresses, looks, speaks or eats. The person who gives in and decides to change their lifestyle usually feels that they must conform to other attitudes or...

diets Tires diets Tires
Tires > Peer Pressure and Dieting