For many, the holiday season means taking long road trips and embarking on adventures to visit family and friends. While these experiences can certainly be memorable, they can also be costly. Long trips typically require frequent stops to fill up the gas tank, which puts a strain on your wallet, so many drivers look for ways to improve their car's mileage as a result. <\/p>\n
To help drivers pinpoint the best strategies for getting more bang for their buck, Shell reached out to Wayne Gerdes, a man who holds multiple World Records for the most fuel-efficient driving. Gerdes has a wealth of experience analyzing weather patterns and road conditions to get the most out of a vehicle, but he had tips that all motorists can use. <\/p>\n
"Smart driving is especially important during the holidays when we are on the road so much," Gerdes said. "… There are still easy steps you can take to improve mileage. It is a matter of planning ahead and being aware of what might negatively affect your fuel economy." <\/p>\n
Gerdes recommends using cruise control throughout the trip. Keeping a constant speed improves mileage, as can driving smoothly. Speeding, as well as fast acceleration or braking, can burn up gasoline at a considerable pace. Another factor that ties into this idea is maintaining a safe distance from other drivers. This allows you the room you need to brake and accelerate evenly, which can increase your efficiency. <\/p>\n