While upgrading to a hybrid or electric vehicle can dramatically improve fuel economy, you do not need to invest in a new car to cut fuel costs. Simple changes to your driving habits and vehicle maintenance can have a significant impact. In fact, many fuel-saving strategies recommended by FuelEconomy.gov are easy to implement and cost little to nothing.
Here are the best ways to improve fuel efficiency without buying a new car.
- Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the most effective ways to boost fuel economy. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, which forces your engine to work harder and burn more fuel. According to FuelEconomy.gov, properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by up to 3%.
- Tip: Check your tire pressure monthly and before long trips. Always use the recommended pressure listed inside your driver’s side door or in your owner’s manual.
- Lighten Your Load
Carrying unnecessary weight in your vehicle can hurt fuel efficiency. Every extra 100 pounds can reduce miles per gallon (MPG) by about 1%, particularly in smaller vehicles.
- Tip: Remove heavy items from your trunk, backseat, and roof racks when not needed. Only carry essentials to maximize your MPG.
- Drive Smoothly and Maintain Steady Speeds
Rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding waste fuel. Aggressive driving can lower your highway gas mileage by 15% to 30%, according to FuelEconomy.gov.
- Tip: Drive defensively, anticipate traffic flow, and use cruise control on highways to maintain a consistent speed whenever possible.
- Manage Air Conditioning Wisely
Running your air conditioner constantly can put an additional load on your engine, especially at lower speeds. This can lower fuel economy by more than 25% in hot conditions.
- Tip: Use your car’s ventilation system at lower speeds and turn on the AC only when necessary. On the highway, using AC is often more efficient than opening windows, which increases aerodynamic drag.
- Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling wastes fuel and gets zero miles per gallon. Modern engines are designed to restart efficiently, so it’s more economical to turn off your engine if you are stopped for more than 30 seconds.
- Tip: Shut off your engine while waiting for long periods, such as at railroad crossings or in parking lots.
- Reduce Drag by Removing External Accessories
Roof racks, cargo carriers, and bike racks increase wind resistance and reduce fuel economy, especially at highway speeds.
- Tip: Remove external accessories when they are not in use to improve aerodynamics and boost MPG.
- Keep Your Engine Tuned and Filters Clean
A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by as much as 40%.
- Tip: Follow your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule and replace air filters, spark plugs, and fluids as needed.
- Plan Your Trips Efficiently
Combining errands into one trip saves both time and fuel. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one longer multi-stop trip with a warm engine.
- Tip: Plan your routes strategically and avoid peak traffic hours when possible.
Final Thoughts
You do not have to drive a hybrid to see real savings at the pump. Small adjustments in how you drive and maintain your car can add up to noticeable improvements in fuel economy. Combine these habits with other savings tools like GasBuddy, Shell Fuel Rewards, or even discounted gift cards from Fluz to maximize your fuel savings year-round.
