With gas prices constantly fluctuating, and summer right around the corner, everyone is looking for ways to get better fuel mileage for the money they spend. Below are several tips for getting the most fuel mileage for your money.
Regular Maintenance
How well you take care of your car not only affects its performance, it also directly impacts your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. For example, a dirty air filter can reduce gas mileage, as can a dirty fuel filter and even spark plugs that are in poor condition. Perform regular maintenance on your car and you will be rewarded with better fuel efficiency.
Drive Moderately
While putting the pedal to the metal might be fun, it eats up gas. Yep, the faster you go, the more gas you use. Driving at a more moderate, even speed will help you get more miles per gallon. One reason for this is that aerodynamic drag increases the faster you drive. In other words, the faster you go the more fuel it takes more to power the car through the air.
Drive Smoothly
Once again the way you drive directly affects your car’s fuel efficiency. Try to avoid fast acceleration and hard braking whenever possible. Once you get up to speed on the highway, try to maintain a steady pace in top gear. Avoid speeding up, then slowing down. Taking advantage of your car’s cruise control is a simple way to help you maintain an even speed. As a bonus, smooth acceleration, braking and cornering can also help to extend the life of your car’s engine, brakes, tires and transmission.
Use the Recommended Fuel Octane for Your Model
For some reason many people drive around with mid or premium gas in their tank when they just don’t need to. If your owner’s manual says “regular”, that’s what it means. Putting mid-grade or premium in is literally just throwing your money away.
Shut Down
If you’re stuck waiting somewhere for a little bit, like at a train crossing for example, turn off your engine instead of letting it run. Even if it’s just for a minute, shutting your car off make a difference in your fuel economy, especially if you drive in the city a lot. And it won’t hurt the car to turn it off, then back on. Additionally, don’t let your car idle for more than 30 seconds when warming it on those chilly winter mornings. It burns fuel, and most modern cars only really need 30 seconds to warm anyway.
In Summary
As you can see, the two biggest factors in getting the best fuel mileage is regular maintenance and watching how you drive. These two simple things directly impact how many miles you get per gallon and can wind up saving you plenty of money in the long run. If it’s time for maintenance on your vehicle, take it to a dealership. Many dealers such as Lustine Toyota, offer on-site service by certified mechanics.