Tips from a Doctor for Optimizing Automobile Fuel Efficiency to Save Money

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA

Join Our Mailing List

Here’s How I Can Afford Gasoline for My Vintage Jaguar XJ-8-LWB

Dr. Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA CMP

[Editor-in-Chief]

Dammit Spock! I’m a doctor – not an auto mechanic!

But, as the cost of fuel increases, more and more physician drivers are thinking about ways to maximize their gas mileage. As well as reducing the cost of fuel in the doctor’s pocket, optimizing fuel efficiency helps reduce the environmental impact of driving and conserves a resource that is only getting scarcer. This is especially true when you drive a luxury European touring sedan that has been said to be one of the finest in the world – like me!

There are a number of different ways drivers can increase their gas mileage. Advice and tips on fuel efficiency fall into a number of key categories.

My Tips and Pearls 

1. The car that you drive can make a big difference when it comes to fuel efficiency. Clearly, the larger and more powerful the vehicle is, the lower its gas mileage is likely to be. Car manufacturers are increasingly looking to new technology to help improve fuel efficiency, and if your car is quite old then it might be time to consider switching to a new model. Fuel efficiency statistics are now commonly published and compared on driving websites, and you should consider this before buying a new, or used, car.

2. Ensuring that your car is well-maintained is also a significant factor in the fuel efficiency that you will experience. Something as small and innocuous as spark plugs, for example, can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 12%. Over the course a year, the cost of the gas you waste is likely to be far more than the cost of replacing the part. If you are in doubt, talk to a trusted mechanic about maintenance, and alway have your car serviced at the recommended intervals.

3. Tire pressure can also have a significant impact on fuel efficiency. Low tire pressure can affect the vehicle’s performance, reducing gas mileage markedly. At the same time, it is also worth remembering that having the pressure too high can also have a negative effect. Ensure that you check your tire pressure on a regular basis. Talk to your mechanic if you are unsure about the optimum pressure value for your tires.

4. The way you drive your car also impacts your overall gas mileage. The official U.S. government website for fuel economy recommends that you always observe the speed limit, noting that for each 5 mph that you drive over a 60-mph speed limit, you are likely to paying an additional $0.29 per gallon of gas. Aggressive driving can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 33% on the highway. Carrying unnecessary weight in your car also uses more fuel, and you should always turn off your engine when the car is idle.

5. By changing the way in which you use your car, you can also save money. By combining multiple short trips into single, multi-purpose outings, you can prevent wasted mileage. Commuters can consider car sharing schemes, whereby drivers take it in turns to provide transport for fellow workers, reducing the number of cars on the road. You may even choose to switch to public transport on certain days of the week, to reduce the burden on your car.

6. You can even improve gas mileage by being careful about where and when you purchase fuel. Gas is at its densest during the coolest times of day. That means that by purchasing fuel early in the morning, or after dark, the volume of gas that the pump dispenses per unit will be moderately higher than at other, warmer times of day. Be savvy about prices in your local area too, keeping an eye out for the cheapest gas stations, but don’t go out of your way to purchase fuel. The money that you save at the pump is likely to be wasted on the additional mileage spent driving to the station.

7. As the cost of gas fluctuates on such a frequent basis, learning to optimize your fuel efficiency is a great way to ensure that you get the most out of the money you spend on fuel. Ensure that your vehicle is as efficient as possible, moderate your driving behavior, and moderate the amount of driving that you do to see the biggest improvements in your gas mileage.

Assessment

This ME-P is a follow-up, by reader request, of a prior popular essay of mine. How Smart Doctors Can Save Big at the Pump I appreciate your interest.

More photos: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/dems-jaguar.pdf

Conclusion

Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

Product Details  Product Details

Filed under: Financial Planning, Op-Editorials, Touring with Marcinko | Tagged: , , , , , , | 10 Comments »