Shopping For A Fuel Efficient Car

Shopping for a fuel efficient car is most likely higher on the list than styling with the cost of fuel in today’s economy. There are many options to selecting a fuel efficient vehicle, however maintaining the functionality of the vehicle while saving fuel money is the optimum balance. Whether in the market for a hybrid vehicle or a strictly gasoline engine, fuel economy information is available through the EPA.

When shopping for a car, consider the size of the engine desired in terms of how many cylinders. The case is intuitive that a V8 engine will use more fuel than a 4 cylinder engine. Because of the advancements in automotive technology, cars are earning a better fuel economy than ever before, however they are offering little relief when gasoline is $5 per gallon and will be increasing in cost.

Engines manufactured today also are able to kick out a higher amount of horsepower and torque in comparison to similar sized engines manufactured several years ago. Because of this fact, opting for a smaller engine does not necessarily mean the vehicle will be underpowered, but do not expect the 4 cylinder engine to kick out as much as a V8.

The type of transmission in the car will also be a great determinate in gas mileage. Manual transmissions use less fuel and bring the sticker price of the vehicle down, but shifting must be done by the driver. If this is of minimal concern, purchasing a car with a manual transmission will save money when purchasing as well as driving the vehicle.

The mechanical components of an automatic transmission provide convenience for the driver, but the torque converters and centrifugal clutch inside the transmission make them less efficient than that of a manual.

Diesel engines have been around for over a decade and are most commonly found on large trucks. It is common knowledge that diesel cars are in production, but diesel has earned a bad reputation for being dirty and simply smelling bad. The truth of the matter is that diesels actually pollute less than that of a gasoline engine and also can achieve a much higher gas mileage. The downside is the noise produced by the engine as well as the soot given off by the burning of the diesel fuel. Yes, this soot is actually cleaner than the exhaust coming out of the tail pipe of a regular car. Diesels emit less greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which essentially makes them better for the environment.

After selecting the desired vehicle to suit any particular needs, shopping around for the best deal is also a good policy when getting ready to buy a car. New technologies are coming out all the time to promote increased fuel economy, but many times there is a waiting list to buy the car. Regardless of waiting list length, reserving a spot in line guarantees a phone call when a car becomes available, but does not obligate the potential buyer to the car.

Shopping the used market is also a good idea. In the condition of the economy and the market, many people are defaulting on their car loans, which makes it an opportune time for someone to buy a car. Many times a low mileage car can be found for a very low price.