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Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has
failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4
percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well
it is done.
Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty
oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40
percent.
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You can improve your gas mileage 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.
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Drive
Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid
acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by
33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible
driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save money by
driving the speed limit.
Remove
Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in
your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your
vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on
the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and
affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Use
Cruise Control
Using cruise control on the highway
helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
The sites below provide information
on maximizing the fuel efficiency of your car.
Federal Trade
Commission
Office of Energy
Efficiency, Natural Resources, Canada
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