With rising gas prices and concern over the environment, it is beneficial for everyone to try gas saving techniques. By doing so, you can yield observable results, especially after tracking gas mileage for at least a month. If you own a Honda Civic, you either have a traditional gasoline engine or a hybrid engine, which uses both gas and a rechargeable battery. While many tips are universal, there are some unique differences between the two.
First of all, slow down. While you may have a 1.8-liter engine in your Honda Civic Sedan or Coupe, this doesn't mean you need to rev it up---at least all the time. Anything over 45 miles per hour eats up more gas. For example, if you drive 55 miles per hour instead of 65, you will use 10 to 20 percent less gasoline for your Honda Civic.
Also, don't tailgate. This not only isn't safe, especially for a compact car like a Honda Civic, it uses up more gas. If you tailgate, you are at the mercy of the driver in front of you. When he brakes, you must brake. When he speeds up, you will probably speed up. Instead, follow three or four car lengths behind so that when the car slows up in front of you, you can simply ease up on the accelerator and then reapply once he speeds up.
Use this concept as well for stopping at red lights. Start to slow down as soon as you see the yellow or red light. Try to coast until you get to the light and hopefully it will be green by the time you get there and then you can slowly speed up, never coming to a complete stop.
Basically, the less braking and accelerating you do, the more gas you will save. Using the cruise control will help you achieve this goal.
The Honda Sedan has a large trunk. This however, doesn't mean you need to fill it up. Lighten your load. Take out the golf clubs, unnecessary tools and whatever else is weighing you down.
Keep your tires inflated. Depending on the year of your Honda Civic and whether you have replaced your tires, you will probably need to fill up your Honda Civic tires to 35 lbs. per square inch (psi). Check your tires to be sure---it's right on the tire itself. Don't forget to check your tire pressure as the seasons change since hotter weather increases psi and colder temperatures lower it.
If you have a Civic Hybrid, don't be alarmed if you don't get your anticipated gas mileage (up to 45 mph) when you first buy your car. It takes about 6 months or 10,000 miles for your Honda Civic Hybrid to "break in." After this you will have optimal mileage per gallon. However, still use the following ideas to increase your savings.
Try not to drive in rush hour to avoid stop-and-go traffic, which eats up gas.
Your Civic Hybrid also has a warm up period. Each time you start your car up, it takes about 10 minutes for it to warm up and signal the gasoline to shut down and the battery to take over. In the beginning of your trip, take it slow and coast as much as possible, but don't let your car warm up the traditional way by letting it sit in your driveway. Rather, start it and go.
Like a gasoline-only Civic, the Hybrid Civic needs to have properly inflated tires, distance from other cars to prevent excessive braking and acceleration, and should follow the speed limit to avoid gas guzzling speeding. Use cruise control when you can to save even more gas.
