Gas facts

Gas facts

Written by Tiffany Young Friday, 15 August 2008

With the average gas price hovering at $4 a gallon, people are looking for ways to lower fuel costs.

Nitrogen-filled tires

Low tire pressure is a cause of poor fuel efficiency, according to Frank Buzz, shop foreman at Covert Ford of Hutto. As more of the tire’s surface touches the ground, it creates more resistance, which works the engine harder and in turn, burns more fuel, he said.

Rather than filling tires with regular air, some drivers are using nitrogen. Regular air includes nitrogen, oxygen, other gases and water vapor, which leak out of tires more easily. Oxygen can deteriorate the inside of a tire, creating opportunities for the air to leak out and shorten a tire’s lifespan.

Filling tires with nitrogen can keep tires at a relatively constant pressure because it does not expand or contract as much with heat, Buzz said. It is used in a lot of aircraft tires and race cars, like those at NASCAR.

Buzz said it costs $40 to fill four tires with nitrogen and, if needed, customers can come back anytime within a year to get their tires refilled for free.

Glossary

• Alternative fuel vehicles run on at least one alternative fuel. AFVs are available in a variety of models ranging from sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks and vans to heavy-duty buses and trucks.
• Electric vehicles run on electricity.
• Flexible-fuel (flex-fuel) vehicles operate on gasoline, E85, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline, or a mixture of both.
• Natural gas vehicles are fueled with natural gas.
• Propane vehicles are fueled with propane.
• Diesel vehicles are now considered to be advanced fuel-efficient vehicles because they run on ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), a clean burning fuel. Most diesel vehicles can run on biodiesel blends without engine modification.
• Advanced vehicles
  • Hybrid electric vehicles (hybrids) typically combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with a battery and electric motor.
  • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles plug into the electric grid and can be powered by the stored electricity alone. These engines enable great driving range and battery recharging.
  • Fuel cell vehicles are fueled with hydrogen.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, www.eere.energy.gov/afdc

With the average gas price nearing $4 a gallon, people are looking for ways to lower fuel costs. The following tips can help you maintain your vehicle’s peak fuel efficiency.

Maintain a constant speed to conserve gasoline. Speeding, rapid acceleration and stop-start driving can lower efficiency by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in town. Fuel economy benefit: 5-33%; Equivalent gasoline savings: $0.20-$1.35/gallon

Keep your car properly tuned and fix minor problems in a timely manner. Fuel efficiency benefits vary based on the type of maintenance needed. Fixing serious problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve efficiency by as much as 40 percent.

Fuel economy benefit: Up to 40%; Equivalent gasoline savings: $0.16-$1.63/gallon

Check and replace air filters regularly. Clean filters also protect the engine.

Fuel economy benefit: Up to 10%; Equivalent gasoline savings: Up to $0.41/gallon

Maintain the correct tire pressure. Even a small drop in air pressure will create extra drag. Properly inflated tires are also safer and will last longer. A sticker with the vehicle’s recommended tire pressure can be found on the driver’s side door.

Fuel economy benefit: Up to 3%; Equivalent gasoline savings: Up to $0.12/gallon

Use the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. Using the wrong grade — for example, 10W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-30 — can lower gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Look for oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance label. These oils have additives that reduce friction.

Fuel economy benefit: 1-2%; Equivalent gasoline savings: $0.04-$0.08/gallon

Remove any excess weight from inside the vehicle or truck bed. Every extra 100 lbs. in a vehicle can lower efficiency by 2 percent. Extra weight affects smaller cars more than larger ones.

Fuel economy benefit: 1-2% per 100 lbs.; Equivalent gasoline savings: $0.04-$0.08/gallon

*All savings are based on a fuel price of $4.08/gallon.

Source: www.fueleconomy.gov

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