Hypermiling-Car Maintenance part 2

Here are the rest of the tips for car maintenance to help you increase your miles per gallon. These all come from the U.S. Department of Energy.

1) Gas mileage can be improved by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

2) Tests suggest that replacing a clogged air filter on an older car with a carburetor engine may improve fuel economy 2 to 6 percent under normal replacement conditions or up to 14 percent if the filter is so clogged that it significantly affects your cars ability to perform. (This is not the case for fuel injected computer-controlled gasoline engines although it does increase acceleration time).

3) Keeping your car washed and waxed improves aerodynamics and therefore affects fuel economy. Engineer Tom Wagner, Jr. reported to Stretcher.com (as in stretching your dollars) a 7-percent improvement in fuel economy, from 15 to 16 mpg, during a 1,600-mile road trip.

4) Try not to use roof top carriers for extra luggage. These decrease the aerodynamics of your vehicle.