Illinois Go Green

Here are some tips on how to save gas with your car.

1. SLOW DOWN! Drive the speed limit you will save a couple of miles per gallon when you do this.  On the highway I know it will be hard but you can save almost 5 mpg if you drive the speed limit instead of going 75 or faster.  

2.  Accelerate Slowly. By not being a lead foot you will save mpg.  Don't worry you will still get there, just a few minutes slower and you'll save money at the pump.

3.  Change your air filter to one that you clean (K&N air filter).  Not only will it give you a couple of mpg for your car, but you don't throw them away.  You clean the air filter every 30 to 50, 000 miles.

4.  Get rid of extra weight.  I know it can be hard, especially if the golf clubs are in the car so you can go whenever you want, but get them out.  Too much weight slows down the car and it wastes more gas.  

5.  Change your wheels.  Get rid of the steel wheel and change them to aluminum or ones that weigh less.  This will help with getting better mpg.

6.  Get regular tune ups.  This will help make your car run its best.

7.  Make sure your tires are inflated to the right pressure.  Over or under inflated tires will cause your car to waste gas trying to move.

8.  Remove roof racks, they cut down on air resistance and you lose 1 to 2 miles per gallon. 

Follow these few tips and you could save on gas.  I own a Scion xB and I have changed the wheels, air filter, got rid of extra weight, and I get my car checked when needed.  Now normally my car is suppose to get 28 mpg city/ 34 Highway mpg set by the EPA.  With the  few modifications and by not driving too fast I now get about 35 mpg city/ 40 highway. I know its not a huge difference but I can definitely tell when I go to the gas station and fill my tank.    

Here are some DVDs that are a must watch

1.  Who Killed the Electric Car?

2.  CNNs Planet in Peril

3.  An Inconvenient Truth

4.  The 11th Hour