Strong and Sporty Vehicle

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, hauling camping equipment and four-wheelers, and having a secure way to transport kayaks, canoes, and dirtbikes, sport utility vehicles are the ultimate in transportation for active individuals. Not only do they have enough cargo space for all of your bags, they are equipped to gently carry the tools for your more expensive hobbies. Kayaks, canoes, and other toys often cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. Because sport utility vehicles are the best way to safely transport them, they are also the first choice of active drivers everywhere.

While the ability to haul such expensive equipment may save you from having to replace it, sport utility vehicles do come at a price. Gas. Despite the perks of a great towing capacity and four wheel drive, many people turn away from SUVs once they realize how poor the gas mileage is. The cost of filling up the gas tank on an SUV can be double that of a sedan, and the tank doesn’t last any longer than it does in the smaller cars.

Ever-rising gas prices are on the minds of every driver worldwide, and investing in a vehicle that gets great gas mileage is certainly a goal for the majority of drivers who are in the market for a new automobile. Although SUVs are not number one in gas mileage, there are some ways that drivers can cut down the amount of gas that is used without having to sacrifice the convenience and fun of driving an SUV. The following tips will help you increase the gas mileage in your SUV without having to leave your canoes and camping gear behind.

- Slow down. Driving too fast or accelerating too quickly are major gas wasters, especially when making frequent stops in town. The most fuel efficient speeds are between 40 and 45 miles per hour, so try and stay in that range when you can.

- Lighten your load. Odds are that you aren’t going kayaking every day and you aren’t camping every weekend. Take out any unnecessary things that may be weighing your car down. Excess luggage racks can be removed easily and reattached quickly, allowing you to only use them when you need them.

- Keep your car running like new. Improperly inflated tires and build up in the engine can cause your SUV to run at a less than perfect efficiency. By following a routine maintenance schedule and keeping your car’s parts in ship shape condition you will get the optimum mileage your SUVs mechanics can offer.

- Run all of your errands at the same time. Turning your car on takes up more gas than letting it idle for a few minutes, so try to avoid repeatedly getting in and out of your car. If you can, run all of your errands at once and use the drive-thrus at pharmacies, banks, and fast food restaurants.

- Purchase a hybrid. If you’re in the market for a new SUV but want better gas mileage than the traditional models have to offer, consider investing in a hybrid.

When choosing whether to keep your SUV (or buy a new one) based on gas mileage, don’t let the numbers scare you out of your purchase too easily. If you are willing to make the necessary adjustments you could greatly increase the gas mileage of your sport utility vehicle.