Top Fuel Efficiency Do It Yourself Hacks, Part I

Us do-it-yourself hackers just love to tinker with things to improve their efficiency. Perhaps it is from all those years of watching episodes of the eighties hit television show, MacGyver, that inspires us to improve upon where others have left off. Whatever your reason and passion, your vehicle is one of the most popular DIY project types, and we offer you Planet Green's top DIY hacks we have featured thus far in the year.

1. Spark Plugs
   Fresh spark plugs can indeed improve the tune of your vehicle and therefore improve its overall fuel efficiency. Spark plugs are not always checked very thoroughly at your local 10 minute oil change shops, so it is sometimes best to keep your own eye on your plugs and change them in accordance to how much you drive, and/or the recommended intervals of your manufacturer.


2. Fuel Additives
   Fuel additives were made for the DIY hack. They are easy to apply to your vehicle, they promise so much, and their cost is relatively minimal in comparison to the cost of fuel these days. The problem with these additives, is most of their promises are never kept and we end up adding a snake oil to our tanks, which is no more healthy for your vehicle, than drinking monkey urine for breakfast is healthy for you. About the only additives you can usually trust to do what they claim to are fuel system cleaners and stabilizers.


3. Improve Your Wind Drag Coefficient
   While a lot of us hacks look to improve on wind drag by adding gadgets, such as spoilers and air dams, sometimes the best way to gain better aerodynamics is to remove such gadgets. We're talking about those giant wings and spoilers, which really do no more good for your vehicle, than dumping a pile of bricks on top of your trunk. This unnecessary weight and drag actually slows you down. Large radio antennas, cargo and bike racks can also cause drag, so if you don't use it, take it off. The smoother you can make the air flow across your vehicle, the better off you will be.


4. Substitute Carbon Fiber Body Panels
   There may come a time when you are replacing a body panel due to aesthetics or an accident, and often times one of your choices in the aftermarket arena will be a carbon fiber body panel to replace the steel OEM panel. For instance, carbon fiber hoods are popular replacement parts, as well are fenders for some vehicles. The carbon fiber parts are up to 5 times lighter than regular steel and therefore will reduce a nice chunk of unnecessary pounds from your vehicle.

Check out the other half of this post here: Top Fuel Efficiency DIY Hacks, Part II

Read more about increasing fuel efficiency:
Trimming your Vehicle Fattens your Wallet
Holter Graham's 3 Tips to Maximize Pickup Truck Efficiency
World's Most Energy Efficient Vehicle? A Bicycle

For a comprehensive look at greening your car, checkout Planet Green's How to Go Green: Cars

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