 |
Avoid Sudden Stops and Drive the Speed Limit |
There are some rules you need to follow when you drive not only to avoid being caught on the wrong sides of the traffic rules but also to avoid spending more on your increasing fuel consumptions.
There are some things you need to know avoid any kind of traffic problems and save yourself from frustration in the middle of the road.
When you are driving your vehicle you should try to avoid braking suddenly or starting abruptly. Studies indicate that when you brake gradually, start slowly, and avoid those sudden stops that you can increase your fuel consumption. Drive responsibly and with care to avoid these stops and starts.
Make sure that you observe the speed limit. Your gas mileage will decrease rapidly when you travel at speeds over 60 mph.
For every 5 mph that you drive over the 60 mph mark you are adding an extra 10 cents onto each gallon of gas that you purchase.
Keep in mind that you will be using at least 20 percent more gas when you are traveling at 70 mph than you would driving at 55 mph.
If there are other family members in your home that drive, particularly younger drivers, make sure that you keep them aware of the higher fuel costs that are associated with driving too fast and too much over the recommended speed limit that is posted.
If at all possible try to anticipate the driving conditions that you will be taking on your route. If you know the traffic is heavy on a certain road try to take an alternate route. This also applies to driving conditions that may cause you to tailgate or practice some other inefficient driving procedures.
The cleaner and smoother that your driving is the more fuel costs you will save. Take the time to plan your driving routes accordingly. You'll find that in the long run you're saving yourself frustration as well as money.
If at all possible you should try to avoid driving during peak rush hours. When the traffic is crawling along you'll be wasting gas and creating wear and tear on your car.
If you are heading home on a Friday night and know that your commute home is going to be one long slow crawl you may want to consider staying close to where you work and running some errands in the meantime. There is no need to start your commute home only to find that you are sitting in traffic with your car idling.
If you are approaching a hill try to accelerate before you reach the hill. This will help you to use up less gas while you are climbing the hill in your car.
Remember to accelerate in a safe manner or you won't be able to use this gas saving tip. You in no way want to put your life, or the lives of others, in any danger. If you drive at fast speeds using the wrong and often lower gears, you will reduce your fuel economy by as much as 40 percent.
If you are driving a standard vehicle make sure that you know how to properly operate the gears and know when to shift.This is one of the common mistakes that many drivers make. By paying more attention to your driving techniques you will find that you can reduce some of your fuel costs.
Try to avoid the habit of keeping your foot on the brake, even lightly, when you are driving. When you rest your foot on the brake you use more gas than you would otherwise and you also will wear out your brakes much sooner. If you find that you are keeping your foot on the brake without being aware of it you can try sticking a reminder note to yourself on the dashboard of your car. Start paying attention to your driving habits to see how important they are and to see how efficiently you drive.
So, now you know how to drive better, when to push the brakes and when and how to stop the car. And driving the car on the speed limits can save you not only your gas cost but can also help you avoids accidents that it can cause.
There are always other alternatives to avoid traffic problems and cut your fuel costs. This all depends on where and when you drives you car. Try to avoid rush hour as much as possible. These can both saves you time and fuel even the possibility of frustration.
Accelerating before reaching the hills and doing it safely can put you in a safe side. Right time to accelerate the gear with smooth driving can saves your life from possible dangers. So better be prepared when you are driving or riding way to the hilly roads.
Article written by Mitch Johnson (http://www.atv-parts-n-accessories.com/)
This entry was posted on Friday, April 27th, 2007 and is filed under Car Accidents. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Leave a comment