The Importance Of Gas Mileage
Gas mileage is an important factor in determining your car’s overall cost and environmental impact. It can be improved by changing driving habits and maintaining your vehicle regularly. The EPA estimates that you can save up to $663 a year by getting a fuel-efficient vehicle. The savings are significant, especially when you factor in the higher gasoline prices that many drivers are currently facing.
Cost
Gas mileage is a critical part of driving and can affect your total cost to own and maintain your vehicle. It varies depending on many factors such as your driving habits, the type of vehicle you own, and other things that affect fuel efficiency. Generally speaking, good gas mileage means that you can travel the distance you need to without having to fill up your tank. This is called miles per gallon (mpg). While it’s always best to drive safely, aggressive or reckless driving wastes gas and can lower your mpg by 15 to 30 percent at highway speeds and 10 to 40 percent in city traffic. Carpooling with another driver can also be a great way to save on fuel. It’s not only better for the environment, but it can save you a significant amount of money on the price of your gas.
Safety
One of the most critical considerations when driving is safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 20,000 people died on American roads in the first six months of 2021. Safety is a huge issue in the debate over fuel economy. Critics say that higher corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards will lead to the production of lighter vehicles that could be more dangerous in a crash. Others argue that recent advances in safety technology and fuel efficiency show that enhanced standards can be achieved without sacrificing automobile safety.
Fuel Efficiency
Increasing fuel efficiency is a good thing for the environment, as it reduces carbon emissions and helps limit climate change. It also saves drivers money on gas, as they can fill up fewer times and travel longer distances, according to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Removable Energy, MIT School of Engineering, HowStuffWorks, and other sources. Improved gas mileage means fewer external costs to society such as pollution, traffic congestion, and accidents and fatalities. It can reduce oil dependency, which in turn contributes to global warming. Aggressive driving is also a big waste of fuel, as it churns the engine and siphons more fuel than steady acceleration. Therefore, it is always a good idea to drive safely and obey the speed limit. And as the price of gasoline continues to rise, it can put a strain on household budgets. Buying a more fuel-efficient car can help, but it is not an easy fix for everyone.