Commentary

Take Your Wife to Dinner or How Much it Really Costs to Operate Your Car

10/15/96

By Gerald Levinson, CMA

Now that gas prices have stabilized for the moment I think a review of over-all car costs should be in order and more importantly how to keep them in control.

In spite of the IRS mileage allowance of 31 cents for 1995 and 1996, each time your car's odometer rolls over another mile, it really costs you over 40 cents --assuming you drive an American- made sedan about 15,000 miles a year.

Even if you leave the car sitting in the garage, it costs you nearly $16.00 a day in "fixed costs" --insurance, depreciation, registration, taxes and financing fees.

"Operating costs" -- gasoline, oil, maintenance and tires -- amount to almost 13 cents a mile, according to the AAA. It costs you even more if you live in New England, the most expensive region in the nation in which to own and operate a car. New England drivers typically pay about 45 cents a mile. Midwestern drivers pay the least, at 40 cents.

But consider this: When you drive your 20-mile-per-gallon car 20,000 miles a year, you'll use 1,000 gallons. Save just 10 percent of that, and you'll have another 100 bucks in your pocket

Thats enough to take your wife (or significant other) to dinner at a fancy restaurant. Tips are extra. Try the es-car-go.

Here's how:

1. When you drive in heavy traffic, anticipate slow-downs and avoid unnecessary full stops. It takes 20 percent less gas to accelerate from 5 mph than from a full stop.

2. Tread lightly on the gas pedal. Accelerate smoothly, and if your car has a manual transmission, shift into the highest gear as soon as possible.

3. Don't slam on the brakes -- except in emergencies. Decelerate smoothly, or even coast to a stop when possible.

4. Maintain a steady speed. If you can, steer around slowed traffic rather than brake and accelerate.

5. Drive between 35 mph and 55 mph, the most fuel-efficient speeds.

6. At highway speeds, close the windows and use the fresh-air vents or even the air conditioner. At speeds over 40 mph, modern car air conditioners consume less gasoline than the drag caused by open windows.

7. Remove bicycle, luggage and ski racks when you're not using them. A rack's wind resistance can increase fuel consumption by 5 to 6 percent.

8. Don't top off the gasoline tank to the brim; you're likely to spill some.

9. After starting a cold engine, don't let it idle for more than 30 seconds. Just drive slowly until the engine is warm. An idling engine can use up to a pint of gas in five minutes.

10. Switch off the engine if you expect to stop for more than 60 seconds -- while waiting at a railroad crossing, for example.

11. Avoid drive-up windows at banks and fast-food restaurants.

12. Use radial tires. Compared to bias-ply tires, they can boost fuel economy by 1 mile per gallon.

13. Check tire pressures frequently. Under-inflated tires can increase fuel consumption by 5 percent.

14. Have your car's front end aligned. Mis-aligned tires can increase fuel consumption by 2 percent.

15. Change the spark plugs and air filter. Fouled plugs and clogged filters can decrease fuel economy by 11 percent.

16. Make sure the engine's idle speed isn't set too high.

17. Have the engine's timing set correctly; retarding the timing by 5 degrees can increase fuel consumption by 5 percent.

18. Use a multi-weight engine oil. Oil that's too thick can increase fuel consumption.

19. Buy a new cooling system thermostat. A malfunctioning thermostat can increase fuel consumption by 7 percent.

20. Make sure oxygen sensors, catalytic converters and other emission-control equipment is functioning properly.

21. Don't carry around unnecessary extra weight in the trunk. Store those old newspapers or that set of golf clubs someplace else.

22. Don't waste money on expensive premium gasoline if your car runs well on a regular grade.

23. Shop around; gasoline prices can vary considerably by brand and by service station location.

24. Walk, bicycle, carpool or take the bus. Remember, leaving your car in the garage cuts its fuel consumption by 100 percent.

Special thanks to the California DMV, AAA, and Road & Track Magazine, even the IRS, for all the stats and background material.

Gerald Levinson -- The Auto Channel