Whether you are doing it for the environment or you are doing it for your personal finances, trying to make the most out of your every gallon is always a sound decision. The only thing that is questionable about intending to get better gas mileage from your car is the means of achieving it.
Much has been said about how to get better mileage – from complicated car modifications to expensive gas saving devices, but most of them have failed to prove their efficacy.
What proved to be effective, though, were also quite simple and easy to achieve. These simple steps and minimal changes in your driving habits may just be the best methods to help you with your car’s gas usage.
1. Keep your vehicle in good condition.
It’s not just for safety and market-value reasons that you should keep your car properly maintained. It can also make a huge difference in your gas usage. For instance, these details impact your usage in big ways: the proper motor oil gives you 1% to 2% better mileage; a properly tuned engine gives you about 4% improvement, and replacing your oxygen sensor can increase your mileage by as much as 40%!
2. Keep your tires in check.
Misaligned and underinflated tires can decrease your car’s gas mileage by as much as 10%. Tires lose about 2 psi after a month of regular use that is why it is important to keep the pressure in check from time to time. With less tire resistance and smoother movement, gas usage will significantly go down giving you more miles for every gallon. A good place to get your tires checked is at Kwik Fit and you can find always grab a discount by using this site.
3. Slow down.
This may not be the easiest thing on this list if you like driving fast, but it may just be one of the most effective. Driving past 60 mph can reduce your gas mileage by up to 23% while driving between 45mph to 55mph for bigger vehicles (i.e. SUVs) can increase your fuel mileage by as much as 30%! Your wallet will love the extra mileage and the lower chances of getting fined for speeding.
4. Go easy on the pedals.
Frequent braking and rapid acceleration rev up the engine so much more than steady driving, and therefore result in more gas usage. Drive your car at a steady speed of under 60 mph and use the pedals as little as possible to save up on your gas consumption. Some experts even suggest avoiding busy roads with tons of intersections to avoid the red light and drive as steadily as possible.
5. Travel light.
A heavier vehicle needs to use more energy to move and therefore consumes more gas. Clean up your trunk and your car interiors and remove all the unnecessary excess load. Keep your car as light as possible to use as little gas as necessary.
Maximizing your car’s gas mileage should not be a priority only when gas prices are up. These gas-saving driving habits will serve you and your car spending best in any season and in any economic situation.