Photo by Emilia Morariu on Unsplash
Getting the Most Out of The Least
Laymen say efficiency is about getting the most result out of the least cost. We’d rather be anywhere than pumping gas at a filling station when it’s cold out. We certainly don’t want to pump gas in bitter-cold weather longer or spend more of our hard-earned money.
But the weather does what it does, and all we can do is offer our best in return. Even if that result can’t be better than most, we need it to be as good as it can be to protect our finances and to have a sense of mastery over how the cold affects our vehicle and the efficiency of our drive.
What Can I Do To Improve My Car’s Fuel Efficiency During the Colorado Winter?
Since it is challenging to avoid cold weather altogether, and about a near-impossibility when living in Aurora, we have to look toward the things we can control: how we drive our vehicles, how we plan our trips, and how we maintain our cars.
You can take a few approaches to help conserve fuel and improve gas mileage no matter the conditions.
Be conscious of how you drive.
Snowy and icy conditions make acceleration and braking dangerous. Park your car somewhere that will not leave you trapped or stranded should more snow develop or should snow melt and refreeze as ice.
Unburden yourself.
Lighten the load by removing excess weight you are carrying in your trunk, but consider keeping some weight over your rear axle, as it can help you gain traction in snowy or icy conditions. Remove any vehicle accessories that reduce your vehicle’s aerodynamics. Flags are fun, as are antlers for Christmas– but get rid of drag to be more efficient.
Plan out your driving and use good judgment.
Combine your trips into one long trip with multiple stops. Try to save these trips for times when driving is the least problematic. Avoid getting stuck in traffic jams, and be aware of the incoming weather patterns by monitoring internet weather stations with local reports!
Don’t skip out on maintenance.
The worst development in a winter situation is the discovery that a disaster was preventable with a small measure of prevention early on. Look after all the parts of your vehicle most affected by the winter. Switch out your tires with winter tires for the cold months. Monitor your vehicle’s tire pressure. Use the prescribed octane for your vehicle’s engine. Be sure you have enough antifreeze in your coolant tank.
We hope this winter is smooth sailing for you and you find yourself at peak efficiency when driving your car. At Aurora AutoPros, we’re here to guide you and your vehicle through all the seasons. If you need maintenance on your vehicle, please schedule an appointment with Aurora AutoPros as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you soon. Also, we invite you to follow us on Facebook and our social media channels; and see what engaging, entertaining, educational, and fun things we share with our community.