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