Looking to cruise but without the high cost?

It may not be the vacation you imagined, but recent tests have shown that using the cruise control function on your car can help you reduce your fuel expenses. Cruise control ensures that a driver maintains a common, steady speed while on the road, helping to eliminate much of the stopping and starting that unnecessarily burns up expensive fuel. With gasoline prices rising across the country, using cruise control is a simple, effective, economical way to increase fuel efficiency and reduce out of pocket expenses.

But despite its advantages, cruise control isn’t for everyone and isn’t for all roads. It’s best for open city driving, preferably flat roads, without hills where there’s little need for a driver to stop and go. Using cruise control ensures that a driver maintains a consistent speed, helping to improve gas mileage and overall safety on the road, as the need to put on the brakes is lessened. When tested, a Land Rover LR3 got close to 14 percent better mileage when using cruise control on the highway than it did when the driver adjusted the car speed manually. This test shows how the use of cruise control can impact a car’s efficiency.

Don’t fear if you’re one of those drivers who can’t necessarily utilize cruise control because your commute isn’t as straightforward. There are still simple ways you can maximize your fuel efficiency, one of which involves anticipating the flow of traffic. Try to predict where the starts and stops during your travels will be and adjust your driving speed accordingly. For example, if you get stopped at light, it’s likely you’ll also be stopped at the following one. Speeding your car up to try and beat it will, more often than not, only result in you getting stopped at the following light and needing to brake fast. Being mindful of such situations and react appropriately to reduce fuel waste. It’s also important to follow the posted speed limit, as it’s been known to translate into more green lights and less wear on your brakes.

Driving your vehicle in the highest gear possible can also make a difference in the economy of your car. When your car runs in a high gear, the engine turns more slowly, reducing how many explosions occur in the cylinders. The fewer explosions that happen, the less fuel that is used. On average, the savings on gas due to this increase in efficiency are 7 percent. This may seem pretty small, but the savings in fuel expenses are big.

Cruise control can help steer you to better mileage and improved fuel efficiency. Finally, good reasons to sit back and relax.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car care products at http://www.stopwaxing.com

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With fears of global warming, the care of our environment is continually becoming more of a concern for all. Vehicle owners are no exception, and in all actuality have more to consider than those without a vehicle. Controlling what goes into your vehicle and what comes out, and how much goes in and out, comes with the responsibility of owning a vehicle.

Basic vehicle maintenance will help the overall well being of your car, but will also help the environment. Maintenance on your vehicle should not be done just when the “Check Engine” light appears. Maintenance follows three timelines: one-time only, several times a year and regularly. Upon ownership of your vehicle, make the one-time purchase of a high quality gas cap and make a one time read through the vehicle’s owner manual. Although you probably have more exciting things to do then read a manual, it will be worth your time. Mark the pages that you might find helpful in the future. If you are purchasing a previously owned car and the manual is not with the car, many manuals can be found on the Internet.

Talk with your general maintenance person, such as the person who typically changes your oil. Do they have any maintenance schedule suggestions as to what should be done when? Creating a maintenance schedule and keeping track of everything you have had done on your vehicle is good for solving future problems or will possibly help increase the value of your car if you plan on selling it.

Included in this schedule should be: oil, transmission fluid and radiator coolant checks and changes, air conditioner checks, fuel, air and oil filter checks and changes, and finally, belt and hose checks.

Depending on your tire quality, check your tire PSI often. Tires with low inflation are dangerous, but also require your car to use more fuel.

Many places in the U.S. require emission testing for your vehicle. The discovery of a failing emissions system can mean a decreased fuel efficiency of up to 7 percent. Keep two things in mind about your vehicle’s emission. First, it is illegal to take out or damage any part of the emission system in your vehicle. Be cautious when making muffler enhancements on your vehicle as this could potentially affect the main emissions system. Second, catalytic converters have laws pertaining to the warranty, mileage and year of vehicle. Be sure you and your mechanic abide to these laws when making repairs or replacements.

Contact the EPA if you have questions about these laws. The person running your emissions test should also be able to assist you with questions pertaining to your vehicle’s emission system.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a paint protection systems at www.stopwaxing.com

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September-5-08

How To Use The Internet To Help You Save On Fuel

Posted by admin under Automotive

Okay, so you already know all the ways to help save on gas, However, I bet you have never thought of going online! There is tons of data on local and international gas prices and the closest gas stations online.

The internet can help you research gas station options, and allows you to compare gas stations for the best prices. There are tons of sites that can give you the current prices at the pumps in your area. Google “fuel prices” and find the site you want to use. In most cases, all you have to do is enter your 5 digit zip code, and Voila! You have the prices for the gas stations in your area. Your buddies at GasBuddy.com advises that you should stay away from high income neighborhoods and highways where the gas stations hike the prices based on the demand and the price people are willing to pay. Try more out of the way gas stations; they are more likely to have the least amount of gas inflation.

Triple A can also help you find the lowest prices on gas in your neighborhood. All you have to do is enter in the necessary information into the “Fuel Price Finder” and you will be given a list of all the stations in your area and the price of the gas. This particular service gets its data from the OPIS which gathers data from pumps around the country.

Since this service is offered online just go to Triple A’s site (www.aaa.com) and enter in your zip code and you will be taken to the Triple A chapter in your area. This device is a wonder if you are planning on taking a road trip or just a trip to the store. You can use this tool to calculate your gas costs based on the address information you provide, and the make, model, and year of your vehicle.

Fuel maximizing devices are in great want for trucking companies and truck drivers. The demand for the maximizing devices has risen to over 450% in the past year. The main reason for this increase is that people are buying them online. Fuel routing devices were once exclusively used by trucking fleets, but now that they are available online, everyone is clamoring to get one.

With all the sites offering the everyday person fuel saving advice, its no wonder that the internet is the driving force behind the battle against the monster of fuel inflation. You can research gas saving tips, alternative means of transportation, or even cars with better gas mileage. You can poke around the internet and find sites that can give you a list of reasons why your gas competency is less than desirable. If you are completely clueless about how to save money on gas, then the internet is your brain food! Everything you need to know is right there at your fingertips. It’s a tool that few use for gas saving purposes, so tell someone about it and maybe they’ll let you carpool with them.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car care products at www.carcarewizards.com

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