Save Your Fuel
Don’t let a drop in the outdoor temperatures mean a drop in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to the National Center for Appropriate Technology, as the temperatures cool off outside, your car may use more fuel than it does during the summer months. Cold temperatures can recue tire pressure and force engines to work harder, but there are a few simple things you can do to help your car stay efficient all winter long.
Viewer tip: Check tire pressure regularly during cold weather and keep your tires properly inflated. Having just one tire under-inflated by six pounds per square inch (psi) can increase fuel consumption by three percent and reduce the tire’s life. Check your owner’s manual for information on correct inflation pressure.
In very cold climates, you may want to install an electric block heater on your car. It is less expensive to warm engines with electricity for a controlled period of time than it is to use liquid fuel. Three hours on an electric block heater is generally sufficient to warm an engine.
Season: Winter
This information is provided by ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Learn more about soil management: www.attra.ncat.org.