The environment is on the minds of many lately. Stark news reports roll in, showing citizens the realities the world is facing, and this has caused an overwhelming movement from large, gas-guzzling vehicles to small, fuel efficient cars-- not to mention the savings in gas money! Which is well and good, but if you’ve never purchased a smaller vehicle before, it’s hard to know what to look for, and it’s easy to fall back into old habits, regardless of the state of the climate or your wallet. If you feel this way, don’t worry. Here are some tips that can help you find a fuel-efficient car that fits you in no time.
Decide which aspects of a car are most important to you
Do you want a car to fit your whole family, or are you just going to drive it to work? In the present day, there are a lot of versions of fuel-efficient vehicles to pick from, so it’s a good idea to have other aspects in mind to narrow your search and make your life easier when it’s time to actually drive the thing.
Some of the tips below can help you narrow down your search, but even color preference can be a good thing to help you choose the car of your dreams. Remember, you are the one who will be driving this car several years into the future. Make sure you pick a car you can live with for more than a couple of months.
Try to pick and choose on the add-ons
Think about it-- every machine or add-on adds weight to the car and forces the engine to work harder to get around, using more gas in the process. If you’re committed to a fuel efficient car, try to pick one that forgoes rooftop luggage racks and running boards. If you’re really committed you could even switch to a manual transmission, which saves on gas even more.
Although many of us are attached to our add-ons, consider if you really use them. If you never have time to go on vacation but cling to your rooftop luggage rack, maybe think about forgetting about the rooftop rack this time. Anyway, these add-ons cost more, and if you’re going for a fuel-efficient car to save on money, this is another opportunity you can take to save your bank account.
Consider every option
This includes electric cars and hybrids. Usually, when buyers think ‘fuel-efficient,’ they don’t consider a no-fuel option. An electric car can save a fortune in gas money, and more and more places such as malls or restaurants are starting to offer charging stations for electric cars.
There are a lot of other great things about electric cars, and while they aren’t for everybody, they do greatly help out the environment. Hybrids are also a great option; while they do use electricity, they can use fuel in a bind. This saves money in gas but gives you the stability and reliability of gas to fall back on. Both of these types of cars have progressed in the past few years.
Today there are a record number of electric and hybrid cars on the market. If you’re worried about not getting the type of car you want, electric or hybrid may be smart to just look into a little. The brands you love might offer more options than you think.
If you are able, consider buying newer. While it’s good to reuse and recycle cars through the ‘buy used’ cycle, a poorly maintained car can end up using a lot more gas than a well maintained on, not to mention a new one. Although it is harmful to the environment to trash a car before it’s entirely broken, it can also be harmful to use an old car that burns through gas as opposed to a new one that uses gas efficiently.
Within the last few years, many new technologies have been introduced to cars to give them better gas mileage. Although a new car is definitely more expensive, they could save you gas money in the long run. If you’re still adamant about getting an older car, try to get one that was taken care of in the past.
Cars can still save on gas if they’re well maintained throughout the years. You can usually tell if a car is well taken care of based on small details, even if you aren’t a car mechanic. If the car is rusty, smells bad, or has a ripped up interior, you can’t imagine under the hood is much better.
Sometimes smaller is better
This goes back to the weight thing-- if your car is heavier, your engine has to drag the car down the road. If the car is smaller, it’s less weight and therefore, less gas. In addition, big trucks need more force to move quickly through the air and smaller cars tend to be more aerodynamic.
This goes for a four-wheel drive as well. The technology that is behind a vehicle being able to go offroading is heavy, and not too cheap either. As long as you don’t need it for your usual commute, a four-wheel drive is not necessary, and you can live with an all-wheel drive.
Four-wheel drive, while helpful in snowy or icy conditions, is not necessary to get you where you need to go. Especially attached to your offroading vehicle? Consider all the money in gas you will save and you might be a little more willing to give an all-wheel vehicle a chance.
Of course, all of these tips can work together to get you the most fuel-efficient car out there, but keep in mind, if there is one gas-guzzling aspect you’re especially fond of, you can always check the other boxes and keep that one.
There are no rules for buying cars, and you will have to live with the car you buy, so if you’ve always had a four-wheel drive and just can’t imagine getting rid of it, don’t. There are other ways to keep your car fuel-efficient.
So, now you’re all ready to get yourself set up with a new fuel-efficient car, but where do you get it from? Well, if you’re looking for a vehicle. car dealerships in Beavercreek Ohio is where you can head to. There are a variety of dealerships, with a variety of options to lower fuel consumption. They’re just as committed to the environment and saving you money in the long term as you are.