Jul 17, 2008

Stopping Heat Can Save Gas

We’ve all heard the traditional tips for saving gas: Maintain the proper tire pressure, keep your air filters clear and free-flowing and don’t use “jackrabbit starts.” These are all worthy techniques, and when combined, they can result in stretching each tank of gas by roughly 10 percent. But here’s another tip that we haven’t heard before -- try to moderate the interior temperature of your vehicle. Why? Because air conditioning takes power from your engine, and power requires fuel. So if you can lessen your engine load by keeping your interior cool, you can save money.

“Over the life of a car, poor fuel efficiency and excessive fuel use can lead to hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in added expense," said John Marmar, U.S. business manager, 3M Car Care Products. “Properly maintaining the vehicle and watching your driving style are two of the best ways to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce long-term expenses.”

He should know, because one way to keep your car cool inside is to use a window film like 3M Crystalline Automotive Window Film. Since the use of air conditioning can account for up to five percent of a car’s fuel consumption, using an inexpensive window film can keep the sun and heat at bay, making the vehicle cooler and reducing the demand on a vehicle’s air conditioning system. Don’t want a deep tint on your windows?  The good news there is that 3M Crystalline Automotive Window Films offer many of the benefits of darker window tints, with the option of being virtually clear in color. For safety reasons, Driving Today does not recommend the use of opaque window films or covering your car windows with plywood.