How Can I Improve My Gas Mileage?
Keep tires properly inflated and follow smooth driving habits to improve gas mileage by up to 3-4% in most vehicles. Simple maintenance like air filter changes adds another 1-2% gain. You see results fast with these steps.
Quick Wins for Better MPG
Start with these easy actions. They cut fuel use without much effort.
- Check tire pressure weekly. Under-inflated tires drop mileage by 0.3% per 1 psi low. Inflate to the pressure on your door sticker. This alone boosts efficiency by up to 3%.
- Replace air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. Dirty filters make engines work harder and waste fuel. New ones improve airflow and save 1-2% on gas.
- Change oil with the right grade. Use your owner's manual spec. Clean oil cuts engine friction for 1-2% better mileage.
| Tip | Expected Gain | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Proper tire pressure | Up to 3% | Check weekly |
| New air filter | 1-2% | Every 12k-15k miles |
| Fresh oil change | 1-2% | Every 5k-7.5k miles |
| Smooth driving | Up to 33% on highway | Every drive |
Drive Smart to Save Fuel
Your habits matter most. Aggressive driving like speeding or hard braking lowers mileage by 33% at highway speeds and 5% in town. Stay under 65 mph for best results. Use cruise control on flat roads. It holds steady speed and can save up to 14%.
Avoid idling. Turn off your engine if you wait more than 10 seconds. Idling burns fuel for nothing. Plan trips to skip stop-and-go traffic. Combine errands into one run.
Maintain Your Vehicle Right
Tune the engine if it runs rough. Fixes improve mileage by 4% on average. Check wheel alignment during tire rotations. Bad alignment causes drag and uneven wear, hurting efficiency.
Remove roof racks when not in use. They cut mileage by 5% from extra drag. Keep weight low. Extra 100 pounds drops efficiency by 1-2%.
Use the right gas octane from your manual. No need for premium unless specified. It resists knock without wasting money.
Track and Optimize with Sidekick
Sidekick tracks your real fuel use based on your drives. It spots patterns like hard acceleration that hurt MPG. Owners using Sidekick data see 5-10% better efficiency over time. Log your trips to get custom tips.
Follow these steps, and most drivers save $100 to $300 a year on gas. Start today with a tire check. Your wallet thanks you.