Fight Fuel Costs With Improved Efficiency

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If predictions from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) hold true to form, 2008 will not come to be known as the year when oil prices went down. In fact, EIA projections for 2008 indicate the year will see historically high prices for major petroleum products, including the fuel used to keep our cars running. Fortunately, drivers are not entirely on their own when it comes to finding ways to cut costs while not drastically changing the lifestyles they've grown accustomed to. Motor oil industry leader AMSOIL INC. offers the following tips for drivers looking to take some of the edge off what promises to be another year of escalating fuel prices.

* Improve your vehicle's performance. Most drivers would love to improve their vehicle's performance, regardless of the prices at the pump. But few might be aware that doing so doesn't take an encyclopedic knowledge of cars. For example, simply replacing conventional lubricants with synthetic oils can greatly enhance your vehicle's performance. This uniform molecular structure of synthetic oil helps vehicles operate more efficiently by reducing friction and wear, improving function in extreme temperatures that are often taxing on cars using conventional lubricants and, best of all, by improving fuel economy, helping to counter those high prices at the filling station.

* Do the little things. When it comes to improving a car's efficiency, the little things certainly add up. While something such as changing a car's spark plugs doesn't seem like a big deal, it is when considering the negative effects of old or dirty spark plugs. Dirty spark plugs do not create the maximum spark, resulting in reduced horsepower and increased emissions. Dirty fuel injectors likewise result in inefficiencies. In addition to improving fuel economy, using a gasoline additive helps keep injectors clean and eliminates the need for costly injector maintenance or replacement. Another easy change is to replace your vehicle's air filter. A partially clogged air filter drastically reduces a car's performance, resulting in higher fuel costs and a much less enjoyable ride to boot. Consult your vehicle manual or mechanic as to how often to change your air filter.

* Help the environment and help your pocketbook, too! According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 68 percent of U.S. oil use is transportation related and the world demand for oil is growing faster than the supply. No wonder we have higher prices. One way to reduce that demand while simultaneously helping the environment is through the use of a premium synthetic motor oil with extended oil change intervals. Premium synthetic motor oils can remain in service up to eight times longer than their petroleum counterparts. Fewer oil changes will not only save you money, but lead to less waste oil as well, which in turn helps the environment.

* Lighten your vehicle's load. Drivers often do things that they might not realize are very taxing on their vehicles' engines and damaging to a car's efficiency. For example, excess weight in a car can drastically reduce the vehicle's fuel efficiency, leading to more trips to the filling station and less money in your pocket. Clean out your trunk periodically and remove excess items. Every 200 pounds of unnecessary weight shaves one mile per gallon off your gas mileage. Another way to lighten your car's load is to be better at planning. Rather than running errands separately, which leads to lots of stopping and starting, write down what errands need to be run and try and run them all at the same time. This will increase your car's efficiency while likely leading to less time spent running errands as well. For more information and tips, visit www.amsoil.com.