Contact: Susan Lassetter
STARKVILLE, Miss.--As summer temperatures skyrocket, many Mississippians are seeing a corresponding increase in their vehicle gasoline bills.
Mohamad Qatu of Mississippi State says the extreme heat causes engines to work harder, particularly when it comes to keeping the interior cool and comfortable. This means the miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency likely will decrease during summer when gas prices are typically at their peak, the mechanical engineering professor adds.
"The heat and humidity are a problem, but when coupled with higher fuel prices, it's even worse," Qatu observes. "You need the climate in your vehicle to be controlled without needing a special budget for it."
He offers several suggestions to help keep drivers' bank accounts from burning during the heat waves. They include:
--Avoid running the air conditioner at maximum; instead gradually cool the vehicle using the medium setting.
--Cover the windshield with a heat shield to prevent the interior from overheating while the vehicle is parked during the day.
--Also after parking, lower windows slightly to let accumulating hot air escape.
--When starting a long-parked vehicle, open the windows for a few minutes before turning on the air conditioning.
Qatu says drivers also might consider ditching the air conditioning altogether in favor of cruising with the wind in their hair. Research shows that driving at speeds of less than 50 mph with windows down is an efficient, and often quicker, way of keeping cool, he adds.