7 Tips on How to Get Better Gas Mileage

More money in your pocket, more time between fill-ups, lower emissions—there are lots of reasons to want better gas mileage for your vehicle.

Though every vehicle’s fuel efficiency is limited, the way you drive, the places you go and the condition of your car all contribute to how many miles you get out of a tank of gas.

To help you stretch those gas dollars, we’ve collected 7 practical tips on how to get better gas mileage that will help you go more miles between stops at the pump.

7 Tips on How to Improve Gas Mileage

1. Drive Safely & Smoothly

The best way to save gas is to slow down! Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 50-55 mph.

Also, avoid hard braking and rapid acceleration. FuelEconomy.gov estimates that aggressive driving lowers your gas mileage by 15-30% at highway speeds and 10-40% in stop-and-go traffic.

Instead, practice defensive driving and use cruise control at highway speeds to keep your speed steady. (It will also be better for your tires, transmission, engine and brakes!)

2. Check Your Tires ­­

Not only are under- and over-inflated tires a serious safety hazard, they also impact your miles per gallon (mpg). The Department of Energy estimates that up to 1.2 billion gallons of fuel is wasted each year due to under-inflated tires. Properly inflated tires can increase your gas mileage by up to 3% and also improve vehicle handling and tire wear.

We recommend checking your tire pressure regularly (at least once a month) to make sure your tires are at the correct pressure.

Read: How to Check Tire Pressure & Inflate Tires

3. Don’t Idle

Waiting a few minutes for the engine to warm up before driving used to be good advice. But with modern, fuel-injected engines, it no longer holds true. The engine will actually warm up faster while driving than sitting.

And if you stop and are going to be sitting for more than 30 seconds, it’s usually best to go ahead and turn the car off. Idling can use a quarter- to a half-gallon of gas per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use. It also pollutes the air and wastes money.

4. Lighten the Load

The less you pack, the more you’ll save! FuelEconomy.gov estimates that every 100 extra pounds in your car reduces gas mileage by about 1%. And if you run out of room in the car and use a roof rack or luggage carrier, you’ll lose even more mileage.

Even unloaded, a roof rack or luggage carrier creates wind resistance, which decreases fuel economy. So once you get back from your next big trip, unload the car completely and take off any extra storage as soon as you get home to make your car more fuel-efficient.

 5. Turn Off the A/C

Cold air blasting through the vents feels like heaven on a hot, muggy day. But running the A/C in high temperatures can decrease your fuel economy by more than 25%.

You might think that rolling down the windows is a good alternative, but that’s not always true; driving at high speeds with the windows down creates drag, which also decreases gas mileage.

In general, your best option for fuel savings is to open the windows when you first start your car and keep them open while driving below 45-55 mph. Once you get up to highway speeds, though, roll them up and turn on the A/C.

6. Consolidate Your Trips

Plan your errands and events efficiently so that you drive less with a cold engine. Fuel is much more efficient when the engine is warm, so consider making stops to the grocery store, dry cleaner and gas station all in one outing. Plus, when you plan ahead, you can avoid busy commute times and spend less time idling in traffic.

7. Follow Your Recommended Maintenance Schedule

For maximum fuel economy, keep up with your vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and address any warning lights that appear quickly. Replacing dirty air filters, bad spark plugs, old motor oil, worn brakes, bad oxygen sensors, and other regular maintenance items contributes to fuel consumption and overall vehicle performance.

Other Ways to Save Money on Gas

• Download an App – Want to find the cheapest gas? There’s an app for that! Apps like GasBuddy share current gas prices in your geographical area, and many chain gas stations and grocery stores have apps offering loyalty programs and special offers.
• Credit Cards for Gas – Some credit cards offer great cash-back rewards on fuel purchases. Just be sure to pay off the credit card balance each month!
• Early-Week Savings – Studies show that gas is cheapest in Virginia on Mondays and Tuesdays. They also tend to be the least busy days at the gas station, so you can save both time and money by buying gas early in the week.
• Don’t Wait Until Empty – Waiting until the low fuel light comes on before you fill up your tank is a bad habit. One reason why is that you’re more likely to stop at the first gas station you can find, rather than taking the time to find the best price.
• Get Regular Gas – Most cars don’t need high-octane fuel. So unless your vehicle’s manufacturer specifically recommends using premium fuel, stick to regular fuel and save!

For help with vehicle maintenance services, bring your car to Virginia Tire & Auto! We can help figure out what could be causing a drop in miles per gallon and get your car back to peak performance. Drop by any of our convenient locations for a diagnosis or schedule a visit online.