Hypermiling-Car Maintenance

When I started researching hypermiling, one of the surprising things I discovered was how much routine car maintenance can increase your gas mileage. I knew about tire pressure, air cleaners and timing but there is so much more. Today, I would like to share some of those with you. The following facts come from the US Department of Energy.

1) Fixing your car when it is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. The results vary, though, based on the kind of repair and how well it was done.

2) Fixing a serious maintenance problem such as a faulty oxygen sensor can increase your gas mileage by 40 percent.

3) You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your car tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure.  Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Do NOT use the maximum pressure printed on the tire's sidewall. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner's manual.  To maintain optimum pressure, tires should be checked on a weekly basis.

4) Take the racks off the top of your car. These decrease the cars aerodynamics and therefore fuel efficiency.

In another post, I will share some more maintenance tips. In the meantime, check your car for the above maintenance suggestions. It can decrease your carbon footprint while saving you money.