You, like many drivers, may be wondering how to get more for your money when you visit the pump. Fortunately, the way you drive can directly impact your vehicle’s fuel economy, making it possible to control its gas mileage and get farther from a tank-full. Getting more mileage from your vehicle can be a great way to save money and feel good about how you use your car, truck, or SUV. Here are some ways you can improve your gas mileage on the road.
Keep an Eye On Your Speed
While it can vary from car to car, fuel economy typically peaks around 50 miles per hour (mph), making it important to watch your speed when you want to get the best gas mileage. As speeds increase above this limit, fuel economy typically lessens. This means that by reducing your speed on the highway by five to 10 mph, you may be able to increase your vehicle’s fuel economy from 7% to 14%.
Plan Your Trips Ahead of Time
Planning your trip before you leave can help you avoid spending gas on unnecessary detours or backtracking if you get lost. By focusing on the exact route you want to take, you can ensure you’re taking the fastest route and steering clear of wasting gas on turnarounds or navigational errors. This can also help you combine errands into one trip, or visit locations where you can take care of several tasks at once, like banking, grocery shopping, and dropping off your pets at the groomer.
Try Not To Idle
Whenever possible, avoid excessive idling. A vehicle can consume up to half a gallon of fuel while idling, making this a great way to waste your gas and money. Instead, a warm engine may only need around 10 seconds’ worth of fuel to restart. This means it may be a better idea to turn off your engine and restart when you know you’re able to drive again, rather than idling while waiting for traffic to clear up.
Drive Carefully
To get the most out of your vehicle’s gas mileage, it’s a good idea to drive conservatively. Maneuvers like “jack-rabbit” starts, hard braking, and rapid acceleration can lower your car’s fuel economy by up to 30% on the highway and up to 40 percent when you’re driving through stop-and-go traffic. Not only can driving carefully help keep you safe, but it can also allow you to get more from your tankful.
Consider Getting a Pass for Toll Roads
Buying a pre-paid pass for the toll roads in your area can allow you to access the express lanes. This can not only help you minimize the amount of time you spend driving but can also help you avoid sitting idly in busy traffic. It can also allow you to eliminate slowing down and stopping to pay at tollbooths, making your trip faster overall.
Shift Gears Appropriately if You Have Manual Transmission
If your vehicle has a manual transmission, how accurately and appropriately you shift gears can impact its fuel economy. Make sure to up-shift as soon as it’s necessary. Always use the brakes when coming to a stop rather than slowing your vehicle by downshifting. This can help you maintain the condition of your vehicle and improve your gas mileage.
Prepare for Possible Road Conditions
When you’re planning a drive, make sure to check the road conditions and plan accordingly. Keep an eye out for traffic, especially during busy times of the day. This can help you minimize unnecessary stops, which can allow you to maintain momentum and maximize your fuel economy.
Opt for Cruise Control Whenever Possible
When you’re on the highway, using cruise control can help you save gas and improve your mileage. This can be an easy way to increase your vehicle’s fuel economy and save money. It’s important to avoid using cruise control in slippery road conditions, since this can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
Change Your Vehicle’s Air Filter
Another way to increase your miles per gallon is to stay on top of changing your vehicle’s air filter regularly. This allows the engine to breathe, which is essential to the proper functioning of your car since the amount of air an engine can pull directly relates to the amount of power it puts out. With a dirty filter, your engine may struggle to get good, clean air in, which can have a negative impact on its performance and on your fuel economy.
Stay On Top of Your Tire Pressure
While you may not think about your vehicle’s tire pressure when it comes to gas mileage, under-inflated tires can actually lower gas mileage by 0.3% for every single psi drop in tire pressure. This means that when they’re properly inflated, they can help you improve your fuel economy. It can also help you have a smoother, more enjoyable ride.
Make Regular Service Appointments
To get the best mileage out of your vehicle, it’s essential that your car, truck, or SUV functions properly. One way to do this is to schedule regular appointments with a service center and take care of routine maintenance, like oil changes and brake inspections, as often as necessary. This can help you ensure your engine, wiring, and brakes are operating as they should and aren’t having a negative impact on your fuel economy.
Why Visit Huffines CJDR Plano?
When you’re trying to save money on gas and improve your mileage, it’s important to have a team of technicians on your side to inspect your vehicle and ensure it’s running properly. At Huffines CJDR Plano, we’re happy to answer your questions and take care of your service needs.
We also have an extensive parts center where you’ll be sure to find the assistance and parts you need to get back on the road safely. If you’re in or around Plano, Texas, make sure to stop by our dealership or give us a call at 972-526-5979 to learn more about the parts and services we offer.