www.roddang.com

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

Share This

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

Share This

Many car owners overlook the importance of proper vehicle care. Balancing the tires, checking the mechanical systems, inspecting the ignition and examining the brakes are all key to improving a vehicle’s longevity and fuel efficiency. A well maintained car is a safer and more economical car.

Tires should be checked on a regular basis to ensure the pressure level is appropriate and that wear and tear is minimal. It’s recommended that tire pressure be checked once a month to avoid rolling resistance, a common problem that occurs when tires aren’t inflated with enough air. This lack of air can lead to premature deterioration and additional fuel consumption. At the same time as you check tire pressure, you should also check overall tire condition. If the tire tread is uneven, it could be indicative of over inflation, under inflation or misalignment, all of which can also lead to a shorter tire life span and vehicle handling difficulties. Avoid these potential problems by rotating your tires routinely and testing your car’s wheel alignment by driving at a steady speed and checking to see if your vehicle leans more to one side than another (if so, an adjustment is in order).

A serviced engine is an efficient engine. Since 1996, when cars started to be produced with an internal diagnostics system that alert the driver to potential problems with indicator lights, it’s fairly easy to do. A common interior alert light that might be illuminated if not appropriately maintained is the oil indicator light. Oil provides the lubrication an engine needs to function, minimize friction and eliminate superfluous heat and unhealthy emissions. Most owners’ manuals recommend using an “Energy Conserving” oil to maintain the most fuel economy. It’s also important to check a car’s cooling system on a regular basis to ensure the engine is operating at its optimal temperature. This also helps to ensure that your car operates with fuel efficiency.

Regular upkeep of the ignition system is also key to a well-functioning vehicle. Since issues related to the ignition are a bit trickier to identify, it’s good to rely on the manufacturer’s recommendations on when to change spark plugs and/or wires. Damages to these parts can lead to engine misfires and a decrease in fuel efficiency. Worn out brakes, used to stop your car rather than start it, can also contribute to this increase in fuel consumption. Having them inspected, the fluid checked and, when needed, changed, can keep them operating more effectively.

Well maintained vehicles are well running vehicles. Regularly schedule checks of the tires, engine, ignition and brakes to keep your car running optimally. And when it doubt, there’s much to read about in your car’s owner’s manual.

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

Share This