No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, there are some simple things you can do to improve your gas mileage that take place on the road, at the gas pump and in the garage.
On the Road
Drive Smart
Speeding, quick accelerations and frequent braking are all big gas wasters. In fact, aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around the city. But smart driving does more than just save you money in gas – it’s also safer for you and everyone who shares the road with you.
Watch Your Speed
It’s a no-brainer that driving the speed limit is safer, but did you know it’s also like throwing money out the window? Even though each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed or range of speeds, gas mileage decreases rather quickly at speeds over 60 mph. Basically, it’s like spending an additional $0.24 per gallon of gas for each 5 miles per hour you drive over 60 mph. Just a little something for you and your budget to think about.
Lose Some Weight
You know how a few extra pounds around your middle slows you down? It’s much the same with your vehicle. If you carry an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle, your miles per gallon could be reduced by as much as 2%. Try to avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. Smaller vehicles tend to be affected more by extra weight than larger ones.
Don’t Stay Idle
Let’s do some quick math: if you’re idling, how many miles per gallon are you getting? That’s right – ZERO. Vehicles with larger engines usually waste more gas when idling than vehicles with smaller engines. Avoid unnecessary idling and turn off the engine for lengthy waits. Idling not only wastes gasoline and therefore, money, but it also adds to air pollution.
No Wasted Trips
Did you know that several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip with multiple stops and starts when the engine is warm? To combat this, combine your errands into one trip, when possible.
Stay Streamlined
Many people with small vehicles (or large families) use a roof rack to provide additional cargo space on trips. However, a loaded roof rack creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five percent. To reduce drag and improve your gas mileage, place items inside the trunk when possible.
At the Pump
Steer Clear of E85 Ethanol
Ethanol significantly drops your fuel mileage. Why? Because alcohol contains less energy than gasoline. According to the EPA, you’ll get about 7 mpg less with E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) than with 100% gas.
Use the Right Gas
Using regular gas when your vehicle calls for premium could reduce your gas mileage by around 6 mpg, depending on your make of car. This is more pronounced in high-performance vehicles because the lower-octane fuel requires the engine to work harder to achieve the same performance. Be sure to check the owner’s manual for your vehicle for the recommended fuel octane.
Push the Limits
When filling your tank, don’t rely solely on the pump’s automatic shut-off feature to tell you when your tank is full – because it usually isn’t. Once the pump automatically shuts off, slowly put a little more in yourself.
In the Garage
Make Time for Maintenance
Clogged air filters, malfunctioning oxygen sensors, suspension alignment problems – all of these things are fuel wasters. And they can all be prevented, detected or corrected with simple routine maintenance. So the next time that ‘Check Engine’ light comes on, don’t ignore it – have a qualified professional determine the problem. For example, a dirty or clogged air filter can reduce your gas mileage by up to 20%. Worn spark plugs can reduce your fuel economy by about 12%. And a faulty oxygen sensor can cause a decrease in gas mileage of 10-15%. All good reasons to stay on top of vehicle maintenance!
Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil
You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 % simply by using the manufacturer’s recommended grad of motor oil. You should also look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API (American Petroleum Institute) performance symbol. Motor oil with this symbol contains friction-reducing additives.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Besides being safer and lasting longer, properly inflated tires can improve your gas mileage by a little over 3% – and under-inflated tires can reduce your fuel economy by up to 10%. You can usually find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle on a sticker located inside the driver’s side door jamb. You can also consult your owner’s manual.
By following all – or even just a few – of the tips above, you can enjoy better gas mileage, no matter what type of vehicle you drive.
