You’ve probably heard dozens of ways to save gas lately. Some of them are practical and some of them are not so practical. But did you know that some of them might not even save you any gas at all? In this two part series, I’ll explore six methods that you can forget about when it comes to saving gas.
1. Fuel Additives
Many products on the market claim that they will give you more bang for your fuel dollar. But these additives simply don’t increase your gas mileage. Companies already mix some additives in the gasoline at the pumps to make it more durable for consumers, but the single bottles of additive are basically a sham.
2. Tire Inflation
Everybody knows that if your tires are too low, it causes the engine to work harder and decreases your mileage. But some people are advising people to over-inflate their tires to get more miles to the gallon. This isn’t only untrue, but it’s also dangerous. Over-inflated tires are more likely to cause a blowout at high speeds. Just make sure your tires are inflated according to the manufacturer’s suggested PSI and you’ll be fine.
3. Air Conditioning
The debate about using your car’s air conditioner or rolling down the windows to increase gas mileage will probably rage on long after I’m dead. But with today’s new technologies in air conditioners, many experts agree that using it on hot days will only affect your gas mileage about one mile per gallon. Is it worth it? I suppose that’s a personal preference. But I know I’m willing to lose a mile per gallon to be nice and comfy in the California heat.
Now that you know half of the truth (the other half is coming tomorrow), you can drive away from your local GMC truck dealer with a new truck and know that these gas-saving tips don’t actually save you any money.
