Gas Saving Tips
Here is a list of 7 simple tips to help you increase your gas mileage, regardless of what you drive
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1. Avoid idle time. If you’re going to be waiting more than a minute or two, shut the engine off. When you’re idling your engine, you’re getting zero miles per gallon.
2. Don’t “warm up” or “cool off” your vehicle. Yes, it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter – but letting your vehicle run for 5-10 minutes before driving is a complete waste of gasoline. Again, you’re getting zero miles per gallon if the engine’s idling.
3. Don’t put the pedal to the metal. Sudden stops and quick accelerations use a lot more gas than gradual speed changes.
4. Don’t speed. Yes, it’s tough to drive slower, but consider this: multiple studies have shown that increasing your speed from 55mph to 65mph reduces your fuel efficiency by up to 15%.
5. Use cruise control. Driving at a constant speed optimizes your miles per gallon – even small fluctuations in speed can reduce your fuel efficiency.
6. Check your oil. Regular oil checks can boost your fuel efficiency – when your oil level is low, your engine has to work harder.
7. Check your tire pressure. Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. Over or under-inflated tires will make your engine work harder.
Some further tips from the U.S. Government's Website www.fueleconomy.gov
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
Driver feedback devices can help you drive more efficiently. A recent study suggests that they can help the average driver improve fuel economy by about 3% and that those using them to save fuel can improve gas mileage by about 10%.
That's like saving about $0.11 to $0.36 per gallon.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 5%–33%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:
$0.18–$1.18/gallon
Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph.
You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.25 per gallon for gas.
Observing the speed limit is also safer.
What is the penalty for my car?
Fuel Economy Benefit: 7%–14%*
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:
$0.25–$0.50/gallon*
* Average savings, assuming drivers are willing to slow down 5 to 10 mph and fuel costs $3.59 per gallon.
Avoid Hauling Cargo on Your Roof
Hauling cargo on your roof increases aerodynamic drag (wind resistance) and lowers fuel economy.
A large, blunt roof-top cargo box, for example, can reduce fuel economy by around 2% to 8% in city driving, 6% to 17% on the highway, and 10% to 25% at Interstate speeds (65 mph to 75 mph).4
Rear-mount cargo boxes or trays reduce fuel economy by much less—only 1% or 2% in city driving and 1% to 5% on the highway.
If you need to use an external cargo container, removing it when it's not in use will save fuel and money.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 2%–17%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $0.07–$0.61/gallon
Remove Excess Weight
Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones.
Fuel Economy Benefit: 1%–2%/100 lbs
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:
$0.04–$0.07/gallon
Avoid Excessive Idling
Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear.