| Super-expensive gas is here to stay. Drivers are | | | | exposed truck bed provides a tight surface for |
| in a scramble over how to afford their morning | | | | airflow to blow right past. Without a drag-prone |
| commute. They're resorting to a number of | | | | tailgate to slow your truck down, you can see an |
| solutions, some the result of fuel economy | | | | average gas mileage improvement of 5% to 10% |
| technology in the form of hybrid vehicles, others | | | | immediately.If you'd rather not get a tonneau |
| steering for quick-fix gadgets carrying a high price | | | | cover, or need full uncovered bed access at all |
| tag and dubious claims.Don't downgrade from | | | | times, consider an air-flow tailgate. drag is reduced |
| your favorite ride into a sub-compact clown car! | | | | immensely, thanks to a mesh or louvered design |
| Stay away from fuel saving gimmicks, too. There | | | | that allows turbulent air in your truck bed to slip |
| are simple ways to save gas, increase gas | | | | right through the gate.Though studies show the |
| mileage and stick it back to the greedy barons | | | | gas mileage improvement is not as dramatic as |
| stealing your spending cash.Improving Air FlowA | | | | adding a tonneau cover to your ride, air flow |
| great place to start when looking to increase gas | | | | tailgates will show an immediate gas mileage |
| mileage is with your vehicle's air filter. It is by far | | | | improvement that exceeds unsafe driving with |
| the easiest performance upgrade around, and the | | | | the stock tailgate down.Tire Pressure EffectsIf |
| quickest way to increase gas mileage.If you're still | | | | you're getting worse gas mileage than usual, |
| lugging around town with a disposable paper air | | | | check your tire pressure. If your tires are |
| filter, you must toss it in favor of a performance | | | | under-inflated, your vehicle has to work that |
| air filter. A disposable paper air filter is incredibly | | | | much harder to spin them. The friction caused by |
| restrictive to airflow, a restriction which essentially | | | | these flabby tires could be sucking your gas |
| chokes your engine. Compare this to a | | | | mileage by 2mpg or more. Not to mention the |
| performance air filter which uses either cotton or | | | | premature tread wear that will cost you serious |
| foam filtration material. Air flows much easier | | | | cash down the road.Check your pressure with a |
| through these performance air filter materials | | | | digital tire gauge for the best possible accuracy. |
| which puts plenty of oxygen into your engine for | | | | The recommended pressure for your tires is |
| burning fuel. With the extra air on hand, your | | | | usually given on a label inside your door well. If |
| engine's computer responds by using less fuel per | | | | they're low, fill them up at most any corner |
| air part.But wait - there's more. The bountiful | | | | service station and check the pressure again with |
| airflow puts extra horsepower at the pedal for | | | | the digital tire gauge. Under-inflation can have |
| your driving pleasure. Not to mention the cleaner | | | | cash-swallowing consequences, but over-inflation is |
| air volumes now entering your engine, which | | | | just as bad for your wallet.Sharpen Your Shop |
| contribute to overall vehicle condition. Be careful, | | | | SkillsThe overall health of your car contributes |
| though. Overusing the power boost provided by a | | | | greatly to the gas mileage you'll see throughout its |
| performance air filter will negate any mileage | | | | life. Follow the regular maintenance schedule for oil |
| improvements.Improving AerodynamicsEver feel | | | | changes, tune-ups and inspections. Don't keep |
| like something is holding your truck back? | | | | driving your vehicle if something is blatantly |
| Surprisingly, it's probably your tailgate. Passing air | | | | screwed up! Get the problem fixed, and it's less |
| rushes over your truck's cab and flows directly | | | | likely to drain your gas tank.With every vehicle |
| into your open bed. With nowhere else to go, the | | | | and every lifestyle kept in mind, Andrew |
| turbulent air crashes into your tailgate - catching | | | | Bernhardt hopes that this information will help you |
| your truck like a trout that swallowed the | | | | save some hard earned dollars at the pump. |
| hook.Adding a tonneau cover to your otherwise | | | | |