For months, gasoline prices have been hovering around $4.00 a gallon in most areas of the country. According to a study by Sperling’s BestPlace, the average U.S. family with two drivers is now paying nearly $1,000 more annually for gas than they were just two years ago. Although there are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage, the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB) warns consumers to be wary of gas-saving claims that empty your wallet instead of keeping your tank full.
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Many websites make unbelievable claims for various aftermarket automotive devices (such as fuel-line magnets, air bleed devices and retrofit gadgets) and oil and gasoline additives which supposedly increase gas mileage for automobiles. The Federal Trade Commission has found many of these claims to be either false or overly exaggerated.
“Travelers should shop around. Nowadays, many smartphones have apps specifically for finding the cheapest gas prices in your area,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of the BBB. “You may even want to consider getting a credit card that gives you cash back bonuses on gas purchases.”
Before adding any fuel savings devices to your vehicle, check with your mechanic. You may end up with a voided manufacturer’s warranty – and serious engine problems – by adding aftermarket devices to your engine.
How you drive and what type of gasoline you use to fill your tank also influences what you spend at the pump. Here are some tips on what you can do to save fuel consumption:
Choose the right octane for your car. Check your owner’s manual to find out what octane your car requires. Keep in mind that the higher the octane, the higher the price.
Keep your engine tuned. Studies have shown that a poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent depending on a car’s condition. Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual; you will save fuel and your car will run better and last longer.
Don’t let your engine run at idle any longer than necessary. An engine actually warms up faster while driving. With most gasoline engines, it is more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle for any period longer than 30 seconds.
Drive more efficiently. Stay within the posted speed limits. The faster you drive the more fuel you use. Set your cruise control on highway trips. This can help maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, reduce your fuel consumption.
Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. Automobile manufacturers must place a label in the car stating the correct tire pressure. If the label lists a psi (pounds per square inch) range, use the higher number to maximize your fuel efficiency.
Anticipate the driving condition. Driving smoothly and steadily makes the best use of your fuel. If you can, avoid sudden acceleration or braking.
Change your oil and replace air filters regularly. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine. Your air filter keeps impurities in the air from damaging internal engine components.
For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.
The mission of the Better Business Bureau is to be a leader in building marketplace trust by promoting, through self-regulation, the highest standards of business ethics and conduct, and to instill confidence in responsible businesses through programs of education and action that inform, assist and protect the general public. Our hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact the BBB at www.bbb.org or 651-699-1111, toll-free at 1-800-646-6222.
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