Two Simple Ways to
Improve Gas Mileage in the Winter
By
Scott Siegel
http://www.beatthegaspump.com
Along with cold weather and snow, winter brings it's own
particular challenges to maintaining and improving gas
mileage. There are a few specific things you need to do in
the winter to maintain good fuel economy.
Make sure your oil is the proper grade for winter. As
temperatures drop it causes the oil in your car to become
thicker. If it gets too thick it will not be able to
properly lubricate your engine. Not only will an engine that
isn't properly lubricated use more gas but it can also
sustain considerable damage. It could even cause damage to
the point where the engine would need to be replaced.
Check your owners manual to determine the proper grade of
oil for the winter. Generally cold temperatures require a
thinner oil then you would use during warm weather. If you
are using a multi-grade oil it might work just fine in the
winter. Again, check your manual or ask your car dealer what
the proper grade for your car is.
A second problem that cold weather brings is a change in
your tire pressure. In cold weather the tire pressure drops.
If your tires were at the proper pressure at 70 degrees,
those same tires will be 5 to 10 pounds too low at 20
degrees and will be 7 to 14 pounds too low at zero degrees.
The most common gas robbing condition drivers face is low
tire pressure. It is estimated that at least 25 per cent of
all cars on the road have at least one tire that is too low.
At 5 to 10 pounds under inflated you will be decreasing your
miles per gallon by 2 to 4 percent.
Every 10-degree drop in ambient temperature results in a one
to two pound reduction in tire pressure. If you set your
pressures in November, they'll be too low in February.
To correct and prevent the problem of low tire pressure you
need to check the tire pressure on a regular basis. Check
them every month at a minimum. Also check them when there is
a significant fall in temperatures.
These are just two of the gas robbing situations that winter
causes. You can prevent the loss of fuel economy and in fact
improve gas mileage by being aware of these conditions and
take steps to avoid them.
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Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page manual of industry insider information
on saving gas and money at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to learn how
you can get better gas mileage.
Find out how to improve gas
mileage.
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