Published: July 18, 2008 10:20 am            

Experts offer tips on getting more mileage out of any motor

PRINCETON — As gas prices continue to climb, American drivers are increasingly looking to stretch the miles they get for their money.

From purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles to trading wheels for sneakers, motorists are trying a variety of techniques to tame the financial punch at the gasoline pump. Although bikes and walking shoes are fine alternatives, mechanics and transportation experts reported this week there are ways to keep commuting and expand mileage.

Connie Sparks, of Estep Tire and Auto Center in Bluefield, recommended a routine fuel injection service to keep cars running well and making the most of the fuel available.

Essentially, a fuel injection system service wipes out the hardened carbon deposits, created as fuel is burned, from the piston valves and fuel injector nozzle heads. This clears the path from gas tank to engine.

“By cleaning your injectors, you won’t use as much fuel to run your vehicle,” Sparks said.

Auto experts differ on how often a fuel injection service should be conducted. Generally, they agree it’s beneficial every 15,000-30,000 miles, but your car could be the best indicator that this treatment is needed. Such a service is particularly beneficial for a car that hesitates, has trouble starting or is just generally sluggish.

Tires also play a key role in gas mileage. Keeping them inflated properly will increase gas mileage slightly, but Jackie Barker, of Barker’s Muffler and Tire City, said a newer theory is that filling tires with nitrogen will expand mileage by up to 4 percent.

“It’s also supposed to save on tire wear,” Barker said, explaining that his customers have reported their vehicles run smoother when they put nitrogen inside. “It’ll handle better. Every one we’ve done this for say it actually drives better.”

Nitrogen molecules are bigger than the oxygen ones included in the common compressed air inserted in roadside machines. The larger molecules make it difficult for nitrogen to escape through porous tire material, so tires theoretically remain optimally inflated for a longer period of time. And, because nitrogen is affected less by heat and humidity, it is believed to keep tire conditions consistent longer than compressed air, which includes some moisture.

Another way to regulate tire wear and thereby make the most of each gallon of gas is to keep tires rotated. Sparks recommended tires be rotated every 6,000 miles.

She and Barker encouraged drivers to keep change air and fuel filters regularly.

And, of course, they said drivers should always use the grade of gasoline recommended for their cars. This information is available in each owner’s manual.

Besides mechanical issues, travel experts say driving techniques contribute to a large amount of waste when it comes to gasoline.

For instance, hard accelerating and quick stops expend more gasoline than gradual starts and stops. Paying close attention to the road, travel conditions and other motorists can help drivers hold onto their tempers, reach their destinations safely and save a few cents in the process.

Edmunds.com testing revealed recently that extending acceleration and deceleration times at red lights, stop signs and busy intersections will save up to 34 percent of the mileage drivers get stopping and starting quickly. Test drivers recommended slowing acceleration down to approximately 20 seconds to go 0 to 60 mph.

This would equate to depressing the gas pedal by approximately 1 inch, in most vehicles.

Letting off the gas pedal and coasting when approaching a red light or stop sign saves gasoline because it allows the engine to slow down at its own pace and saves brake pads if the vehicle is almost ready to stop by the time it reaches the light.

Plus, experts at Edmunds.com and CNNMoney.com recommend using cruise control whenever and wherever possible, because it eliminates the constant changes in speed that use more fuel than necessary.

And, Sparks’ last piece of advice was to stop trying to beat the speed limit. According to fueleconomy.gov, every five miles above 60 mph uses as much as 10 percent more gasoline.

For more information, visit fueleconomy.gov.

— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.

        

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