Regardless of the price of gas, you’ll be glad to get the most you can out of your car’s fuel efficiency. Here are a few tips to help you out.
When gas prices soar, we get upset and run to the nearest dealership for the latest and most efficient car we can find. While that’s one way to improve efficiency, it’s much better to create some smart and useful driving habits that will make it possible to get the most out of a tank of gas.
Here are several ways to improve your car’s fuel efficiency.
Reduce your errands
Do you actually need to go to the bank today, to the grocery store tomorrow, and to the pharmacy the next day? Wouldn’t it make much more sense to combine these trips into one day of running errands? If you drive fewer miles at a time, you’ll get more out of the gas you put in the tank. Some of these errands might be able to be done by delivery services, which means you’ll also use less fuel, but these services might cost a little more.
Speed limits are your friend
Automakers create powertrains that are the most efficient at the posted speed limits. One of the best ways to improve your car’s fuel efficiency is to obey these limits. In addition to getting more miles-per-gallon out of your tank you’ll also avoid receiving speeding tickets, which is another way to save some money wile driving. If you reduce your speed from 65 mph to 55 mph you’ll improve fuel mileage by as much as 8 mph. The faster you drive, the worse your economy figures will be.
Drive smoothly
When driving, avoid accelerating too quickly or braking too harshly. Both of these activities can destroy your fuel mileage. Drive smoothly and anticipate other drivers while in traffic. This smooth acceleration, cornering, and braking help extend the life of your engine, transmission, brakes, and tires. You don’t have to be the first one off the line from a stop light; instead, accelerate smoothly from a stop and get up to speed slowly. This means more miles from a tank of gas every time you fill up, which won’t be as often as before.
Tire make a huge difference
Your tires are the only part of your car touching the pavement. If you want to improve your car’s fuel efficiency, make sure your tires are properly inflated and have good tread on them. Your tires can impact your fuel mileage because they often lose tire pressure at a rate of 1 psi per month. If you haven’t checked your tire pressure in a while, it might be time to do so. Check your tires at least once a month during your fill-ups at the gas station.
Drop as much weight as possible
Don’t drive around with a trunk full of stuff. This extra weight isn’t doing you any favors. When you load up your car, the fuel mileage will decline and become a problem for you. If you want to improve your car’s fuel efficiency, you need to unload your vehicle and take out the items you don’t need every day. Some people drive around with a trunk full of stuff they won’t need or use for a while; don’t be one of them.
Use the cruise control
Your cruise control system is made to keep your car traveling at a consistent speed. These systems also accelerate and decelerate much more smoothly than you would on your own. When you’re on the highway, use the cruise control system to keep your car at a consistent speed. This consistency can save a lot of fuel and improve your fuel economy figures. If you happen to drive a car with a manual transmission, staying at a higher gear for longer is much more efficient.
Avoid idling as much as possible
One of the best ways to improve your car’s fuel efficiency is to reduce the time you spend idling. If you’re sitting at a long stop light, waiting for a train to pass by, or in stopped traffic because of an accident, you should turn your car off. You might not be going anywhere, but the car is burning fuel while idling. If your vehicle has an engine start/stop function, let it do its job and turn the engine off whenever you’re stopped at a light or stop sign.
Use these tips to improve your car’s fuel efficiency and save money on every tank of gas.
