13 Tips to Reduce Gas Consumption (Save Money on Gas)
Fuel prices have risen to record highs this year. We have little control over gas prices, but with a few simple and easy maintenance tips, you can control your gas usage.
Why does my car use so much fuel?
Some vehicles are naturally thirsty. This is often true for larger displacement engines and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Even if you follow all the tips on this list, your V12 Lamborghini Aventador will still not get as much fuel economy as a Prius.
The Environmental Protection Agency tests the city and highway fuel economy of every vehicle sold in the United States. You can compare your car to the EPA numbers to see how it stacks up. If you’re below the EPA’s fuel economy estimates, it’s a good idea to refer to this list to see what you can improve.
This will help reduce your fuel consumption
Here are some easy things you can check right away to significantly reduce your fuel consumption:
1) Check your tire pressure
Check your tire pressure as often as you go to the gas station. Make sure your tire is inflated to the recommended pressure at the driver’s side door jamb. You can exceed the pressure value slightly, but you will sacrifice fuel economy for ride quality and tire wear along the way. Do not exceed the maximum pressure value on the sidewall.
The Ryobi 18V Air Compressor is very affordable and perfect for quickly inflating your tires. It is also very practical for road trips.
You will need an 18V battery and a suitable charger (if you don’t already have one).
2) Replace the engine air filter
If your engine air filter becomes dirty, air cannot enter the combustion chamber, resulting in reduced fuel consumption. Check your engine air filter. Replace it if it has become dirty over time. These are inexpensive and fairly easy to apply to most vehicles.
3) Increase your distance
Increase your distance. Look as far down the street as possible so you can see traffic before you get there. Unnecessary braking uses more fuel. If possible, like a (good) truck driver, drive more calmly by coasting your car or braking the engine.
4) Don’t drive too fast
Driving at high speeds on the highway will significantly reduce fuel consumption in most vehicles. In general, the lower the engine speeds you can keep while driving, the better.
5) Remove heavy objects and accessories
Remove any roof racks or luggage racks you don’t use and remove any unnecessary heavy items from your vehicle. Roof racks and luggage racks create air resistance, slowing your vehicle down. This gets worse the faster you drive. Dragging heavy objects around town requires more engine power. If you don’t need it, leave it at home to save the extra money at the pump.
6) Fix Engine Codes
If your check engine light is on, have the codes read. Most auto parts stores will do this for free.
Fix the problem, especially if you find any issues related to misfires, fuel trim, variable valve timing, or O2 sensors. These issues will cause your car to run on a richer mixture and use more gasoline.
7) Change your fuel filter
Check your fuel filter. If you’ve driven your car for over 100,000 miles and there’s no record of ever changing your fuel filter, it may be time to consider doing so.
8) Don’t buy premium (unless you need it)
Don’t buy premium unless your car needs it. Your owner’s manual will tell you what octane rating your car needs. Many modern cars recommend premium gasoline, but can also run on regular gasoline. The engines in these vehicles adapt to a lower octane rating. The car will have slightly less power, but the fuel will be cheaper.
If your vehicle can run on low octane fuel, the owner’s manual should clearly state that it is safe. Do not use regular gasoline in a vehicle that requires premium gasoline.
9) Use cruise control
When driving on the highway, it’s easy to make slight speed variations. These deviations cause the car to slow down and then accelerate again, using more fuel than if you were to maintain a constant speed.
When you turn on cruise control, the vehicle takes over throttle control. The ECU can usually maintain a set speed much more efficiently than your right foot.
10) Turn off the air conditioning and close the windows
Air conditioning has little effect on fuel economy, and not using it will give you better fuel economy. Keep in mind that the defroster allows you to use the air conditioning intermittently, even if the air conditioning light on your HVAC system is not on.
Rolling down the windows creates air resistance, and your vehicle uses more energy to maintain the same speed.
However, there is a speed limit, and using the air conditioning uses less electricity than the gas you save with the windows down. For a typical sedan, this number is around 68 MPH. For trucks and SUVs, it drops to about 50 miles per hour. So if you drive faster, using the air conditioner will be a better option. However, if you drive slower, you should close the windows.
11) Replace your spark plugs
As your spark plugs get older, they may not be able to ignite the fuel as quickly or efficiently as they used to. When this happens, you will notice a decrease in fuel consumption. Most spark plugs are fairly cheap and easy to replace, so this is another thing you can check locally. 12) Buy tires with low rolling resistance
Not all tires are the same. Some tires provide better grip when cornering, some are better for rain, and some give you the best possible fuel economy.
Buying tires with low fuel economy can save you up to 1-2 MPG, which can cost you a lot of money over the life of your tires.
13) Buy a Car Specifically for Commuting
Many people put miles on their cars with only one or two people in the vehicle, and very little luggage. This is often done commuting to and from work.
Making a long commute in a large truck or SUV is a huge waste of money. They cost more to maintain, the tires are more expensive, and they burn much more fuel.
If you have a long commute, consider buying a cheap economy car such as a Honda Fit, a Toyota Corolla, or perhaps even an electric vehicle. While you pay a bit of money for the vehicle upfront, you will realize huge savings down the road.
You don’t have to buy a new one, either. Used economy cars in good condition can be found for $5,000 or less. You could even consider buying a motorcycle, which can get 50 to 80 miles per gallon.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get better MPG and save money at the pump. If you haven’t already, check out FuelEconomy.gov, a US government site dedicated to fuel savings. They also have resources on hybrids, electric vehicles, and alternative fuels you may find interesting.
