Are you tired of watching the fuel gauge drop faster than you'd like? With gas prices fluctuating, improving your car’s fuel efficiency isn’t just good for your wallet—it’s also a smart way to reduce your carbon footprint. Whether you're a daily commuter or planning a long road trip, there are several strategies you can use to get the most out of every tank of gas.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Did you know that under-inflated tires are one of the most common culprits behind poor fuel efficiency? When your tires are not inflated to the recommended pressure, rolling resistance increases. This means your engine has to work harder, using more fuel to maintain speed. Make it a habit to check your tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips. Most gas stations have air pumps, making it easy to top off your tires as needed.
You can find the recommended tire pressure in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame. Keeping tires inflated to the correct level can improve fuel efficiency.
Avoid Aggressive Driving
We’ve all been guilty of stepping on the gas pedal a little too hard or braking suddenly. But did you know that aggressive driving habits can lower your fuel efficiency by as much as 15-30% on the highway and 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic? Rapid acceleration, speeding, and hard braking waste fuel and put unnecessary stress on your car’s engine.
To save on fuel, try to drive more smoothly. Accelerate gradually, coast to a stop when possible, and keep a consistent speed. Not only will this improve your fuel economy, but it will also prolong the life of your vehicle.
Lighten the Load
Is your trunk filled with random items you’ve forgotten about? Extra weight means your engine has to work harder, burning more fuel in the process. For every additional 100 pounds in your car, your fuel efficiency can decrease by up to 1-2%. While that might not seem like much, it can add up over time, especially if you’re frequently carrying heavy loads.
Take some time to clear out your car’s trunk and backseat. Only keep essentials like emergency kits, spare tires, and tools. By lightening your load, you’ll notice a positive impact on your car’s fuel consumption.
Use Cruise Control on Highways
If you’re driving on a long stretch of highway, make use of your car’s cruise control feature. It’s an easy way to maintain a steady speed, which can boost your fuel efficiency. When you manually control your speed, it’s common to fluctuate without even realizing it, which uses more fuel. Cruise control helps eliminate this variation, especially on flat roads.
However, avoid using cruise control on hilly terrain as it can cause your car to downshift frequently, which may increase fuel usage. Stick to manual control in those situations to optimize your fuel efficiency.
Keep Up with Regular Maintenance
Your car’s performance can significantly impact fuel efficiency. A well-maintained car runs more efficiently and uses less fuel. This means keeping up with regular oil changes, replacing air filters, and ensuring that spark plugs are in good condition. A dirty air filter can reduce your gas mileage by a lot, so don’t neglect it.
Another thing to consider is the condition of your fuel injectors. Clogged fuel injectors can cause your engine to use more fuel. Adding a fuel injector cleaner during your next fill-up can help keep them clean and operating efficiently.
Turn Off the Engine When Parked
It’s a common misconception that idling uses less fuel than restarting your car. In reality, idling for more than a minute wastes more fuel than turning off and restarting the engine. If you’re waiting in your car for someone or stuck at a long train crossing, it’s better to turn off the engine to save fuel.
Modern cars don’t require a “warm-up” period, so you can drive off shortly after starting your vehicle. Letting your car idle unnecessarily can lead to more fuel consumption and increased emissions.
Plan Your Trips Wisely
Last but not least, plan your trips to avoid unnecessary driving. Combining errands into one trip can help reduce the amount of time you spend on the road. Frequent short trips from a cold start use twice as much fuel as one longer, multi-stop trip covering the same distance. Use navigation apps to avoid traffic jams, roadblocks, or construction zones that could cause you to waste gas idling.
Carpooling or ridesharing is another effective way to reduce fuel consumption. Not only will it cut down on gas costs, but it’s also a more eco-friendly option.
Worried about poor gas mileage? Visit KAMS Auto Service Center for a full diagnostic check. We specialize in keeping your car in top condition so you can save money at the pump. Stop by today!