AAA estimates that about 100.5 million holiday travelers will drive over 50 miles this December. That record-topping number means a record-topping amount of fuel consumed.
But it doesn't have to.
By following four rules, based on the laws of physics, you can reduce the amount of gas you'll burn when traveling home from Wharton for the holidays.
Drag coefficient
Also called wind resistance, this represents how hard your vehicle has to fight to push through the air. The lower it is, the less work your engine needs to do. You can:
- Wash your car, especially if you've got caked-on mud.
- Remove exterior accessories, like roof racks, antenna toppers, or novelty mustaches.
Weight
The same way a 5 pound weight is easy to pick up, and 100 pound weight is less so, your car works harder the more weighed down it is.
- Clean and vacuum your car before a trip (this has the added benefit of making the car a nicer place to sit for a long drive)
- Pack light.
Friction
When your tires are underinflated, they flatten out against the road more, creating more surface area and friction. Check your tire pressure and fill them according to the placard on the inside of the driver's door.
Speed
Going fast takes more energy than going slow. Going slow, on the other hand, is inefficient. A speed of 55mph is ideal for most vehicles. In other words, no racing down the highway if you want to save gas money!
Visit Route 15 Used Car Center to browse our used vehicles, perfect for a long trip home, and check out our special offers to help make the holidays bright.