Looking for a job requires a lot of leg work and most of that falls on your car. Even if there isn’t a toll on the road, zooming around to drop off applications, attend job fairs and meet for interviews takes a toll on your car which will take a toll on your wallet.
Try these 10 tips to increase your fuel efficiency and in turn your available cash flow:
Clean your car – More weight in your car means you need more gas to haul it around. Pull out everything that is unnecessary and keep it out. If you keep your car clean already consider swapping your spare tire for a cell phone and a fix a flat kit.
Gauge tire pressure – If you’ve ever tried to ride a bike with a flat tire you know how much more energy it takes to get it going. A car is the same way. Low tire pressure increases drag and makes the car work harder which will burn up your gas in a flash.
Check the air filter – Don’t be too intimidated to pop the hood especially for a job that doesn’t even require tools. Find where to look for your air filter in your owner’s manual and look for the instructions to clean or replace it. Proper air intake is as important to your car as it is to a runner.
Oil Change – Greasing is good for your car. Keeping the proper amount of clean lubrication in your engine will improve its life. It also reduces friction and increases fuel efficiency.
Fuel injection cleaner – Clean fuel burns better. Add a bottle to a full tank about as often as you change your oil. You’ll save more than you spend when it comes to overall gas milage.
Replace sparks and wires – If you’re not automotively inclined ask a mechanic to change your spark plugs and wires with every 3rd oil change or more often with higher horse power vehicles. Old plugs often impede proper energy flow and increase fuel consumption.
Coast – One of the biggest gas burners is how you drive. Don’t speed up to a red light just to have to slow down. Cut the habit of hitting the gas then hitting the brakes. Put the car in neutral to slow down instead of braking to decrease speed.
Drafting – Staying a safe distance at a safe speed behind a larger vehicle in front of you. This allows air to flow from the top of their vehicle seamlessly over the top of yours which decreases drag. Mythbusters tested the theory and found that they could increase fuel efficiency by up to 40% depending on the speed and distance at which they followed.
Keep it simple – Factory standard tires and height are the way the car is made to perform. Opt out of custom upgrades or alter the way your car reacts to the road. Increasing tire size and raising or lowering a cars suspension is awesome for car shows but everyday drivers save more money when they keep it how it came.
Stick to the speed limit – Most cars perform at their optimum fuel efficiency around 55 mph on the highway. Diving faster just burns gas faster. You will also save a tremendous amount of time and energy by avoiding a speeding ticket.
One thing that doesn’t make a difference to gas mileage either way is riding with the windows up or down. So feel free to grab a breath of fresh air on the way to your next interview; just make sure the wind doesn’t mess up your hair.
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