How to Improve Your Vehicle's Gas Mileage
Better fuel economy starts with three things: keeping your vehicle maintained, adjusting your driving habits, and managing your tires. Most drivers can improve fuel efficiency by 10 to 15% without major repairs.
Simple Changes That Work
Check Your Tire Pressure Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and reduce fuel economy. Check your tire pressure monthly and inflate to the recommended PSI listed on your driver's side door. Proper tire pressure can improve efficiency by 2 to 3 percent.
Get Regular Maintenance A well-maintained vehicle runs more efficiently. Follow your maintenance schedule for:
- Oil changes (every 5,000 to 7,500 miles for conventional oil)
- Air filter replacement (typically every 15,000 to 30,000 miles)
- Fuel filter changes as recommended
A clogged air filter alone can reduce fuel economy by up to 10 percent.
Remove Excess Weight Extra cargo reduces fuel efficiency. Clean out your trunk and remove roof racks when not in use. Every 100 pounds of cargo can reduce fuel economy by about 1 percent.
Change Your Driving Habits
How you drive matters more than you might think. Aggressive acceleration and speeding burn more fuel. Driving at 50 miles per hour instead of 65 can improve fuel economy by 20 percent or more.
Other habits that help:
- Accelerate smoothly and gradually
- Avoid idling for more than 30 seconds
- Coast to red lights instead of braking hard
- Keep speeds between 45 and 65 miles per hour
Track Your Fuel Economy
Monitor your fuel efficiency to see if your changes work. Calculate it by dividing miles driven by gallons used. Most vehicles display fuel economy on the dashboard, but manual tracking gives you a clearer picture over time.
Small changes add up. A driver saving 2 miles per gallon spends roughly $400 less on fuel each year, based on average fuel prices and 15,000 miles driven annually.
When to Get Professional Help
If your fuel economy drops suddenly, something may be wrong. Common issues include a faulty oxygen sensor, worn spark plugs, or engine problems. A mechanic can run diagnostics to identify the cause.
Sidekick tracks your fuel costs and maintenance schedule, helping you spot unusual changes in efficiency and plan repairs before they become expensive.