Getting Better Gas Mileage While Driving in Town

Whether you personally are experiencing some tough financial times, or are simply looking to save as much money as possible, one thing that you can't overlook is the gas bill for your vehicle. This simply means that you will need to look into getting better gas mileage while driving in town. There are several different methods that you can use to ensure that you get the best mileage possible out of your vehicle, all of which will only require a bit of effort on your part.

• Get a tune up. One of the most efficient ways to get the best possible mileage out of your engine is to get regular tune ups of your engine. By doing this (at a minimum of every six months) you are able to ensure that your engine is working in the best possible way. With the engine working properly it won't have to work as hard, thereby causing it to use gasoline much more efficiently.
• Be less aggressive. Whether you would like to believe it or not, aggressive driving leads to inefficient use of fuel. It has been estimated that by avoiding rapid acceleration, speeding, and braking you can increase your gas mileage by as much as 1/3. This will often mean that you need to be a little more defensive in your driving, and simply enjoy your time as you go about your business.
• Don't idle. Another very common waste of fuel is to allow your vehicle to idle excessively. It may seem a bit strange, but if you are going to be waiting for a while then simply turn the engine off. For example, if that stop light is going longer than it should then turn the engine off. If there is a particularly long line at the drive through, then simply go inside instead. All of this will help ensure that your engine uses the fuel more efficiently.
• Keep the weight down. Take the time to actually keep your trunk as free from debris as possible. This will help ensure that you are able to lower the weight down, and thereby allow you to have the engine work more efficiently as it propels your vehicle down the road. In addition, if you have a car rack then ensure that it is as free from materials as possible to avoid increasing the drag that can lower the general efficiency of the aerodynamics of your vehicle.
• Avoid the air conditioning. Using the air conditioning on your vehicle while you are simply driving around town can put an increased strain on the engine. By simply rolling down the windows while you are driving around town you will be able to get a bit more bang for your gasoline buck.
• Check your tires. Just as it is important to periodically check your engine, it is also a good idea to ensure that your wheels are also properly aligned, and that they are in good general working condition. Just ensuring that your tires are at the proper pressure can be a huge help in increasing the general efficiency of your fuel usage.