How to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy

While owning a car is more of a need than a luxury, the rising gasoline prices have become a challenge for many car owners. You might have little influence on gasoline prices, but making use of every drop of gas can enhance efficiency and help you save money. You could even improve your car’s fuel economy by making a few changes to your driving habits and driving more efficiently. Keep reading to understand ways you can improve your vehicle’s fuel economy.

Key Takeaways:

• Maintenance costs and car fuel might be taking a big chunk out of your budget.
• You can improve your gasoline efficiency, maximize your vehicle’s fuel economy, and ease your driving costs.
• Some of the best ways to improve your car’s fuel economy include: limiting idling, getting rid of clutter, routine maintenance, and driving efficiently!

Slow Down

Speeding, rapid acceleration, and braking waste gas. Gas mileage efficiency tends to decrease above 50 miles per hour. In fact, according to fueleconomy.gov, you’ll pay an equivalent of 22 cents more for each gallon of gas for every five miles per hour that exceed 50 miles per hour. And depending on the type of car you drive, poor driving habits can adversely affect fuel economy by 15% to 30%. That’s because fast speeds have more drag, equaling more fuel being burned. Conversely, driving sensibly, and not like a race car driver, can lead to an equivalent gas savings of between 31 cents and .24 per gallon.

Avoid Excessive Idling

A car engine can consume one-quarter to one-half gallons of fuel per hour when idling. Besides, when idling, the fuel consumption will be 0 miles per gallon, which is a waste of gasoline. On the other hand, a warm engine takes about 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. As such, if you want to improve your car’s fuel economy, consider turning off the engine instead of leaving it idling. The good thing is that many modern car models have a start-stop system. The system allows the car to conserve fuel by automatically shutting down the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop. The engine will then restart automatically when you release the brakes.

Essential Note: Idling gives off 80% more pollution than when the car is in motion.

Clear Out Clutter

There are essential items that you need to keep in your car, such as an emergency kit. But as little as 100 pounds can lower your fuel efficiency by up to 1%. Shockingly, for this extra 100 pounds, you may need to plan to spend up to 3 cents more per gallon. So, you should do whatever you can to make your vehicle lighter and save money. Clear out sports equipment and extra books, forgotten backpacks, and you’ll be amazed at how things add up. And while you’re at it, don’t forget the extra body fabrication like roof racks, bike racks, and cargo boxes. Jeep in mind that rear-mounted can lower fuel economy by 6 to 7% at highway speeds.

Address Engine Issues Promptly

The check engine light on your dashboard indicates something’s wrong with the engine. But modern cars are so advanced that they might seem to drive normally even when a repair is required, which can lead you to ignore the indicator. It may be something minor like a loose gas cap, but that can increase emissions, lower fuel economy, and lead to costly repairs. So, when the check engine light is on, have your vehicle checked by a mechanic as that can save you fuel and money. Moreover, you should ensure that you change oil regularly since oil deteriorates from everyday use, forming sludge, and consequently causing drag and lowering fuel economy.

Check the Tires

Car tire maintenance can go a long way in improving fuel economy. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, 1.25 billion gallons of gasoline are wasted every year due to underinflated tires. Similarly, misaligned tires drag instead of rolling freeling- improper alignment can lower fuel efficiency by 10% and that’s about 31 cents per gallon. Besides, misaligned tires can wear out more quickly and unevenly, which can result in lower gas mileage. Hence, to improve your car’s fuel economy, ensure that you follow the guidelines on the owner’s manual or the sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb to inflate the tires properly. Moreover, tires should be balanced and rotated according to the owner’s manual to enhance tire performance and fuel efficiency.

Use the Air Conditioner Properly

Air conditioning systems in cars have become more efficient over the years. You might be torn between turning on the AC and opening windows, but minimizing the use of the AC can save you gasoline. You could consider the following ways to minimize the use of the air conditioner:

• Park your car in the shade to keep the cabin cool
• Use a windscreen cover when you’re parked
• Increase the automatic climate control temperature
• Open the windows first to enable hot air to escape before turning the AC off
• Turn off the AC once the cabin temperature reaches optimum levels

Maintain Your Car’s Routine Maintenance

A vehicle that’s regularly checked by a professional mechanic uses less fuel than one that’s not inspected regularly. That’s because filthy air filters, connections, and spark plugs affect fuel efficiency. However, when you keep up with the maintenance routine in the car’s owner’s manual or as recommended by your dealer, your vehicle will be more efficient and produce fewer gas emissions.

Want to Learn More About Your Car’s Fuel Economy? Contact the Experts!

Keeping your vehicle in good shape and changing your driving habits can make a huge difference in maximizing your fuel economy. Use the above-mentioned tips to lower your fuel use and expenses. And if you’d like to learn more about how to improve your car’s fuel economy, reach out to our car professionals. Our expertise is unparalleled and we’ll guide you on the best ways to maximize your fuel efficiency!

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