Simple Ways to Improve Your Fuel Economy

There's one thing that, as a car owner, you can't get out of: spending your hard-earned money at the pump. Gas prices are a part of life if you own a vehicle. No matter if the prices are sky high or at a considerably “low” price, when the tanks hits E you have to visit the gas station.

If you're like most drivers, you probably find filling up your tank slightly annoying. Maybe you don't think about it until the prices of gas start to creep up. Perhaps you can't stand filling up.

While you can't control the prices of gas, there is something you can do to improve your relationship with the gas pump: Improve your fuel economy. A vehicle's fuel economy is measured by the miles per gallon your vehicle uses.

While you might not think there is much you can do about improving your gas mileage, you'd be wrong. There are various ways to experience better gas mileage that are simple for most drivers to do.

Plus, a better fuel economy means more money stays in your pocket. That's got to be reason enough to try, right?

Below, you'll find all our insider tips and tricks to improve your fuel economy.

Drive efficiently.

Simply put, driving at slower speeds, without fast stops or quick accelerations will save you money on gas. You'll need some patience, especially if you're an aggressive driver; however, simply driving at 55 mph rather than 65 mph will greatly improve your fuel economy.

Likewise, hard accelerating and sudden braking can reduce a car's mileage by 2 to 3 mph. Be sure to drive smoothly. Once you hit a high speed, keep the pace steady. Not only will this help your wallet, but driving defensively (rather than aggressively) will improve the life of your car's engine, brakes, transmission, and tires.

Plan trips accordingly.

This is probably the easiest thing you can do to improve fuel economy. If you have several errands to run, combine them in one big trip. This way, you reduce the distance you travel and reduce the times you have to cold start your engine (both of which cause your car to use more gas).

Along with combining short trips, you should try to carpool if you have to commute to work. By setting up a carpool system, you can save loads of money on gas and save your vehicle from quicker wear and tear.

If you can't create a carpool or rideshare system, try to at least avoid peak rush hours and drive the most fuel-efficient vehicle you have.

Check tire pressure.

It's important to regularly check your tire pressure - for many reasons - however, when you ensure you are driving on properly inflated tires, it helps the car's fuel economy. This is because tires with low pressure increase in rolling resistance. When there's more effort required to roll the tire, the engine uses more fuel.

Take the roof rack off.

Your roof rack is great to hold all your gear during your active weekends. It's even better for family vacations. However, if you're not carrying your bike to the trial or on your way to a beach getaway, that empty rack can hurt your gas mileage.

The empty rack is adding more drag to your car, which requires more power from the vehicle. So, if you're not using the roof rack, be sure to take it down.

Change your air filter.

Think of your air filter like the bag in a vacuum. If the vacuum is performing correctly, it will collect all the debris that it sucks up from the floor. Likewise, an air filter's job is to collect the dust and dirt from the engine.

After a while, the air filter will become clogged with all the debris, which then leads to your engine using more fuel to keep it running smoothly to compensate for the lack of air it's getting. To ensure that this doesn't hurt your gas mileage, make sure to change the filter at least once a year for better fuel economy.

These simple ways are your best bet to improve your fuel economy. Mavis Tires & Brakes offers quality, honest service. We strive to offer the best value for your money and provide you with a safer, more efficient vehicle. If you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle and its performance, be sure to visit one of our locations.