From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Five Keys for Making your Muscle Car More Energy-Efficient and Eco-Friendly

Muscle cars are known for their tire-smoking performance. Unfortunately, these high-powered driving machines tend to burn a lot of fuel. Here are some proven ways to make a muscle car more energy-efficient.

Install a free-flowing exhaust system

By installing a free-flowing exhaust setup, you can improve your muscle car’s fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent. Most stock exhaust systems suffer from an inefficient deign. The restrictive muffler and small-diameter piping forces the engine to work harder than it should. Not only will a good aftermarket exhaust boost gas mileage, but it will also increase your muscle car’s performance.

Avoid installing heavy wheels
Although chrome wheels look cool, the additional weight can cause your fuel economy to suffer. If you are looking to improve your vehicle’s appearance, install a set of lightweight racing wheels. The car will feel far more responsive on the road. When it comes to saving fuel, the best approach is to make your muscle car as light as possible.

Use the correct type of fuel
Depending on the engine’s compression ratio, your muscle car may require premium fuel. Although you may be tempted to use regular unleaded gas, the engine will not be able to produce the optimum amount of power. Furthermore, it may not perform nearly as efficiently. Always stick to automaker’s recommended octane level.

Keep the engine tuned up
Not only does a tune-up involve changing the spark plugs, but the ignition wires must be replaced as well. Rough idling and hesitation are two of the tell-tale signs that your engine needs a tune-up. A misfiring engine can certainly cause your gas mileage to plummet. Luckily, changing the spark plugs is usually a do-it-yourself task that only requires basic hand tools. Sites such as Discountrue can help you find coupons and promo codes to help you save money on your car part purchases.

Purchase a cold air intake
In order for the engine to run strong and efficient, it must have a steady supply of fresh oxygen. If you want to truly maximize your vehicle’s potential, install a cold air intake. Although installing a cold air intake requires the removal of the factory air box, it is well worth the effort. The aggressive sound of the air rushing into the induction system will further enhance the car’s fun factor.

By making a few changes, you can dramatically improve your muscle car’s fuel economy. You can still have fun without wasting fuel.