Remove Excess Weight: An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your mpg by up to 2 percent. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones, and clean out your vehicle often.
Avoid Excessive Idling: Some people believe that turning your engine on and off is a gas waster, but it only takes a few second worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. On the other hand, idling can use a quarter to a half-gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use. Turn off your engine when your car is parked.
Use Cruise Control: If your car comes with a cruise control function, use it. It will help you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Tune Your Engine: Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, and fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your gas mileage by as much as 40 percent. You might think repairs are costly, but they're saving you gas money.
Inflate Your Tires Properly: Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure for all four tires. By keeping your tires inflated properly you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. The proper pressure for your vehicle's tires is usually found on a sticker in the driver's side doorjamb or on the glove box and in your owner's manual. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer, saving you money on tire replacement costs as well.
Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil: Improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performing symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.
Tighten Your Gas Cap: If you don't tighten up the gas cap to the second click, gas can evaporate. The Car Care Council (carcare.org) claims that loose gas caps cause 147 gallons of gas to evaporate every year. If you're cap is damaged or missing, replace it immediately.
Use Air Conditioner Appropriately: Air conditioner use can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent. If it's cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation on your car. At low speeds, opening the window is more efficient than A/C user, but at higher speeds wind resistance from open windows actually makes A/C more efficient. New vehicles have more efficient air conditioning units and the fuel use difference is not significant.
The best way to increase fuel efficiency is to stay up to date on your vehicles service and dive smart. Schedule your next service appointment now.