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Show How To Get More MPG From Your Car Proper reading at idle With the price of gasoline today, many motorists realize that substantial dollar savings can be made just by squeezing an extra mile or two out of every gallon. Here are some ways to do that or maybe even more than that: 1. Keep engine properly tuned. 2. Keep tires inflated to pressure recommended in owner's manual. 3. Make certain front end alignment is correct. 4. Replace air filter at proper intervals. 5. Keep vehicle well lubricated. lubri-cated. 6. Remove unneeded cargo. 7. Develop good driving habits. Although the last point on the list probably has the most potential as a gas and money saver, few motorists find it very easy to change driving habits they developed years ago. "Jackrabbit" starts, sudden sud-den stops, excessive idling, stop-and-go driving and a variety of other gas gulping traits seem to come naturally to most of us. They're difficult habits to break without some sort of an aid. One aid that works for many is a vacuum gauge, available at most auto parts and accessories stores. It can pay for itself in a few weeks and then go on paying dividends div-idends in gas savings for as Tunc-up needed long as you own your car. If you're handy, install it yourself in 15 to 20 minutes. If not, most service stations will install in-stall it for about the price of half-a-tank of gasoline. By glancing at the vacuum gauge every now and then, you begin to get an idea of what each driving maneuver means in terms of fuel economy. The higher the reading, the better the fuel economy. For instance, according to Accurate Instruments, Instru-ments, a major American producer pro-ducer of vacuum gauges, your reading when you're cruising at a constant speed should be well into the yellow color band (between 21 and 30 on Accurate gauges). Experiment by cruising at different speeds to find out which speed gives you the highest reading. Check the gauge with the engine at idle. The pointer should be between 17 and 21 on Accurate's scale. If it's down between 13 and 16, your engine needs a tune-up it's wasting fuel. Watch those starts from a dead stop. If the gauge reads between 5 and 10, you're squirting money right down the tubes. Experiment with your foot pressure until you learn how to accelerate and keep that reading above 10. For additional tips, pick up a free copy of "How To Spend Less Without Driving Less" at any auto parts and accessories store that sells Accurate gauges. |