Improve your fuel economy

There are a number of things you can do to improve the fuel economy of your current vehicle. Most involve proper maintenance of your vehicle. A few of these are discussed here.

Proper tire pressure

For those of you that are race fans, you know that crew chiefs adjust the handling of a car by adjusting the air pressure in individual tires by as little as a quarter pound at a time. Maintaining proper air pressure in your tires provides a better ride, better handling and lower rolling resistance which will improve fuel economy.

Fuel system

Maintaining your fuel system may be one of the most important things you can do. This includes changing your fuel filter at recommended intervals, and a fuel injector cleaning and service.

Vehicle suspension and alignment

Your vehicles suspension affects the way in which your vehicle moves down the road. Worn shocks, struts, sway bar links and bushings can add to the rolling resistance of your vehicle. Properly aligned wheels are also very important. After all, if they aren't pointing in the right direction, they are creating resistance that your motor needs to overcome by working harder.

Your driving habits

Your driving habits may affect your fuel economy more than anything. Accelerating at a smooth steady rate instead of racing quickly to the next stop light will help more than can be said. Stopping smoothly helps in the same way. It is also a safer method of driving.

Most Chrysler products have interactive transmissions that learn your driving habits in just a few miles of driving. What this means is that if you are a smooth steady driver, the transmission will shift at lower RPM's which will save you fuel. If you drive the vehicle hard, accelerating quickly, the transmission will hold the shift points longer, to a higher RPM which makes the motor work harder and use more fuel.

Driving closer to the speed limit will help too. For those of us that were driving in the 1970's, we can remember why the Federal Government lowered the speed limit to 55 miles per hour...it saves fuel.