We all learned the word "hyper-miler" when the price of gasoline was surpassing four dollars per gallon. Hyper-milers use certain driving techniques to help squeeze as much mileage out of their fuel as they possibly can. They don't quick start or stop suddenly. They maximize drag by removing things from their car that they really don't need to be carrying with them day-to-day. Another method to increase mileage is anticipating traffic flow. While hyper-miling is an easy method to increase and stretch your buck, below are some methods that will enable you to save even more.
Maintaining your car properly will save you in costly repairs down the road. Do you have a mechanic? Is there someone you can rely on to provide you with honest and accurate estimates of work that your vehicle may require?
Having your vehicle maintained on a regular basis is quite important. Read the owners manual so you know what intervals of maintenance are needed for your car. Stick to the routine. If you don't have the manual you can easily find a copy on the worldwide web.
Having the oil changed on a frequent basis is imperative. Newer cars need to have oil changed between 5k-7k miles. You should be checking the level between these changes. How often depends on your commute and the way that you drive. I have a short commute and drive slowly in stop and go city traffic, so I check my oil every other time I get a fill up. If you are doing a lot of long commutes and freeway driving you should probably check it more often. Older vehicles tend to use up a lot more oil.
Checking the level of coolant is the next step. You are under the hood checking the oil so take the few extra minutes and check the coolant level. Never check this when the engine is hot. Wait for the car to cool down first.
Take a look at your battery and make sure you don't have any worn out wires. If you do find anything out of the ordinary be sure to let your mechanic know. This preventative maintenance is all about making sure a small item doesn't become a large bill (pay now or pay later - remember?)
Checking your tires and tire pressure is also rather important. The correct PSI (pound per square inch) pressure is stamped on the tire or should be locatable on a label on the driver side doorjamb. Also make sure the tires aren't worn out or bald since this can be extremely dangerous, even more so during rainy weather.
Make sure that there aren't any fluids leaking from your auto. This is best done on a flat clean driveway or parking lot. Note that you may see some pooling if you have been running your air conditioner. Condensation will drop to the pavement, and this is standard.
If you don't know how to check all of these items, ask someone who is knowledgeable about cars to show you and take notes. These simple and easy steps can help save a ton on car repair costs in the future!
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Written by Jacqueline Star:
Dallas Ford Dealer,
Fort Worth Ford 
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