5 Ways to Improve Your Vehicle’s Fuel Efficiency
Posted Tuesday, Aug 16, 2022
One of the things many people look for in a car is fuel efficiency, as it saves the driver money and it also benefits the environment. Some cars are known for being more fuel efficient, which is usually related to the vehicle’s construction and design. What many people don’t realize is that their driving habits also play a big role in their cars' fuel efficiency. So while the make and model surely make a difference, there are things you can do on an everyday basis to contribute to the cause.
How to Make a Car More Fuel Efficient
Most of the ways to improve your fuel efficiency involve driving habits, although some car maintenance is required. Check out these 5 pain-free tips that can make a lasting difference.
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1. Drive within the speed limit
Every car reaches its optimal fuel efficiency at different speeds, but the general rule of thumb is that a car’s mileage decreases at speeds over 50 mph. Driving above 50 mph can add an additional 22 to 43 cents per gallon; this may not sound like a lot, but it adds up over the years. This doesn’t mean that you should drive slower than the speed limit when the limit is above 50 mph, but it is something to keep in mind.
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2. Be more aware of your braking and acceleration
Poor driving habits can make a huge impact on your fuel efficiency. In fact, speeding, rapid acceleration, and fast braking can lower your gas mileage by roughly 15 to 30%! Although many of us speed up and slam on our brakes every single day (usually because of stop-and-go traffic), this is a habit that we need to actively try to break. Instead of doing this, go easy on your pedal and start making more gentle transitions.
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3. Remove unnecessary items from the vehicle
We’ve all been there - we’re busy, leave things inside of our car, and it ends up building up until it looks like a storage unit. Unfortunately, additional weight requires your car to work extra hard. As little as 100 extra pounds can reduce your fuel efficiency, so make sure to clear out anything that doesn’t belong (old books, sports equipment, bike racks, backpacks, etc.) While this will affect small cars more than large ones, it should be considered no matter what type of vehicle you drive.
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4. Avoid idling
Idling refers to the continuous operation of the engine while the vehicle is stopped. While this act is unavoidable during traffic, it can be avoided in other situations, particularly anytime you’re stopped for more than 60 seconds. For instance, if you’re picking up a friend for dinner, turn off the car while you wait for them to come out of their house. Small changes like this can make a big difference.
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5. Keep your vehicle well-maintained
We all want our cars to do their job well, but they can’t do that if they’re not being well-maintained. This includes:
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- • Maintaining the correct tire pressure
- • Getting regular oil changes
- • Replacing dirty air filters
- • Checking engine lights
- • Using the right motor oil
- • Keeping your car properly tuned
This may sound like an exhausting list, but these are things that you should be doing no matter what your gas mileage is. Even more, car maintenance isn’t an everyday challenge; when you create a car maintenance checklist, you’ll better understand what services you need and when.
Start Your Journey
There are many benefits of improving fuel efficiency: saves you money on fuel expenses, increases sustainable energy, and decreases carbon emission and air pollution. No matter what vehicle you drive, these habits can make a difference both to your pocket and to the environment.
Aside from your driving habits, you can also consider purchasing a car that is more fuel efficient. In fact, some newer models actually have fuel-saving technology that improves efficiency without compromising the performance of the car. If you’re interested in knowing more about which cars have this feature, or what makes and models were designed with fuel efficiency in mind, contact an experienced car dealership.
