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Boosting Your Car’s Gas Mileage: Practical Tips

Smart Strategies for Better Fuel Efficiency

If you’re aiming for the absolute best gas mileage or fuel efficiency, options like carpooling, using public transport, or walking and biking are unbeatable. However, if driving is your primary mode of transportation, here are some effective ways to maximize your vehicle’s fuel economy:

Choose a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle: Researching vehicle fuel efficiency is a great first step. Resources like the fueleconomy.gov website offer comparisons between different makes and models. Keep in mind that four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles generally have lower fuel economy compared to front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles. Powering all four wheels requires the engine to work harder to maintain the same speed, especially at higher speeds.

Maintain Optimal Tire Pressure and Alignment: Under-inflated tires can reduce your gas mileage by 0.3% for every 1 PSI drop. This happens because energy is wasted as the soft tires flex more. Properly inflated, rigid tires create better friction with the road, improving forward momentum. Consult your owner’s manual (often available online) or the sidewall of your tires for the recommended PSI range. Additionally, ensure your wheels are correctly aligned.

Drive at Efficient Speeds and Use Cruise Control: When speed limits allow, around 55 MPH (90 km/h) is often the sweet spot for fuel efficiency in gasoline vehicles, though this can vary by vehicle. When driving on long, straight, rural highways, engage cruise control whenever possible. Maintaining a consistent speed helps avoid unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, which boosts fuel economy. Compared to the optimal 55 MPH, a vehicle’s efficiency typically decreases:

• 3% at 60 MPH (97 km/h)
• 8% at 65 MPH (105 km/h)
• 17% at 70 MPH (113 km/h)
• 23% at 75 MPH (121 km/h)
• 28% at 80 MPH (129 km/h)

Practice Smooth Driving Habits: When it comes to fuel efficiency, steady and consistent driving is key. Aggressive acceleration makes the engine work harder and consume more fuel. Gentle acceleration is not only safer but also more efficient and reduces wear on your vehicle. Similarly, harsh braking leads to drastic speed drops, which are then followed by drastic acceleration to regain speed, wasting fuel and increasing brake wear. Adopting smoother driving habits can improve your gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.

Keep Your Vehicle Well-Maintained: Simple maintenance can improve your gas mileage by 1-2%. Always use the manufacturer’s recommended motor oil grade. For example, if your manual specifies 10W-30, avoid using 5W-30. Ensure your engine is properly tuned, your oxygen sensor is functioning correctly, and address any failed emissions tests promptly. Regularly check your air filters (every few months) for clogs caused by debris, which can restrict airflow to the engine.

Reduce Unnecessary Vehicle Weight: A fundamental physics principle states that heavier objects require more energy to move. While choosing a smaller, lighter car is a good starting point for better fuel efficiency, everyone can benefit from removing excess weight from their current vehicle. Take out any heavy, unused items. For instance, towing a trailer when it’s not needed for your daily commute unnecessarily increases the car’s weight and reduces fuel economy.

Minimize Wind Resistance by Closing Windows: Open windows create extra drag on a moving vehicle. At highway speeds, this drag significantly pushes against the car’s forward motion, forcing the engine to work harder to maintain speed. Driving on the highway with the windows rolled up to reduce drag is generally more fuel-efficient, even if you’re using the air conditioning. However, drag isn’t just caused by open windows. Roof racks or bike racks also add weight and increase aerodynamic drag, decreasing fuel efficiency.

Use Air Conditioning Wisely: Fuel economy can suffer in hot weather due to the engine power needed to run the air conditioning. In very hot climates, AC use can decrease a vehicle’s fuel economy by as much as 25%. It’s helpful to avoid setting the AC to an unnecessarily high setting, especially when the car is idling. AC systems are generally more efficient when the car is in motion.

Avoid Unnecessary Idling: An idling vehicle achieves zero miles per gallon (MPG).

By implementing these tips, drivers can not only save money on fuel and vehicle maintenance but also contribute to positive environmental impacts by reducing their carbon footprint.