With gas prices at an all-time high, easing the pain at the pump has been the number one priority! Follow these tips for better Gas Mileage and fuel economy.
Surely, nearly every driver has complained about gas prices at one time or another, and now more than ever.
Unfortunately, we can’t control the price of gasoline, but we can relieve some of the pain at the pump by increasing our cars’ fuel economy through routine maintenance and proper driving habits.
Fuel efficiency is not only good for our pocketbook, it’s good for our environment too. There are many ways that we can save on gas; by driving slower, using cruise control when possible, turning off the car while in stopped traffic and making sure that our cars are well maintained.
Improve gas mileage through maintenance
One of the best ways to increase your car’s fuel efficiency is through regular auto maintenance. Repairing an out-of-tune vehicle — or one that has failed an emissions test — can improve fuel economy by an average of 4 percent.
Fixing a more serious problem, from a check-engine light being on causing a faulty oxygen sensor, can boost gas mileage by up to 40 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Fuel injector cleaner
Adding fuel injector cleaner is an important step you can take to enhance fuel economy. This should be done once a year or about every 15,000 miles.
Fuel filter
Replacing your car’s fuel filter (if equipped) as part of its scheduled maintenance can also provide better gas mileage.
Tires
Tires also play a critical role in how well vehicles conserve gasoline. Properly inflated tires, regular tire rotations and wheel alignments can increase mileage by up to 7 percent.
The federal government indicates keeping tires at the correct inflation level can improve mileage by up to 3.3 percent, while under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in the pressure of all four tires.
Air filter
Another important maintenance step is replacing the engine air filter regularly. Replacing air filters about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles can increase mileage by up to 6 percent.
It is the combustion of air and fuel that energizes the engine, air filter replacement — or at least cleaning it on a regular basis — will keep the dirt and residue from entering the engine.
Oil change
Other maintenance items to think about are regular oil changes, addressing issues related to a “Check engine” light and using the recommended fuel grade.
How you drive affects fuel economy
How – and what – you drive also greatly affects gas mileage.
Driving around in a large truck or SUV will unfortunately lessen fuel economy. If conserving fuel is one of your top goals, consider a smaller, more efficient vehicle like a hybrid or electric car.
Drivers will spend an estimated $1250 more a year driving around in a vehicle that gets 20 miles per gallon compared to 30 mpg, assuming gas prices are around $5 a gallon and each driver drives about 15,000 miles.
Safer driving will also lead to better fuel economy.
According to the department of energy, aggressive driving behaviors – such as braking, rapid acceleration and speeding – can lower fuel economy by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city.
A lot of stopping and going or gunning it at the light is also not going to help, what’s going to help if you ease into the the throttle when you’re taking off. Don’t drive like the car is stolen.
Driving the speed limit can also lead to better fuel savings, as does limiting your car’s idling time.
Following these tips will ensure that you are doing everything in your power to get the best fuel economy possible.
For more tips like these, read our car repair blog.
