10 Tips to Get Better Gas Mileage

Even though gas prices are coming back down, it’s a good idea to try and squeeze out better gas mileage from every gallon of fuel you use.

You might not realize it, but how you care for your vehicle and your driving habits profoundly impact the fuel economy numbers you receive. Strangely, there are also some environmental factors involved in helping you save fuel and get the most out of every tank of gas you put into your car. Let’s explore some important tips that can help you get better gas mileage.

1. Cut Down on the Weight Carried in Your Car

The more weight you’ve got in your vehicle, the lower your fuel economy numbers will be. You might put heavy bags of sand or concrete in the trunk during the winter, but when spring arrives, you need to take these things out of your trunk. When you lighten the load, you’ll have the best possible gas mileage from the vehicle that you love to drive and enjoy every day.

2. Keep at Least a Half-Tank of Gas in Your Car

How will keeping more fuel in the tank help you save money on gas? This gives you the flexibility needed to find the right price to pay for a gallon of gas. If you’re running on fumes, you’re stuck with the gas station nearest to where you are for your fill-up. That means you might pay a higher price or have to visit a station that doesn’t offer a discount card. You’ll get better gas mileage and save more if you aren’t always running on empty. This is a great way to preserve your fuel pump as well.

3. Reduce Idling for the Best Fuel Mileage

The gas mileage you enjoy is directly impacted by the amount of time you spend with the car running while not moving. Make the most of the fuel you use by driving when the car is on. Modern vehicles do not need to be warmed up to drive. While using a remote starter to warm up the interior of your car can give you a comfortable cabin, this is a waste of gas. Avoid idling as much as you can; this is simply a waste of fuel.

4. Buy Gas at the Coolest Time of Day

Have you ever wondered why gas is stored in underground tanks? It’s important to protect the density of gasoline from evaporation, and this can be done with the coolness of the ground. At the coolest time of the day, gasoline is at its most dense, which means you’ll get more from a gallon than you would if you bought gas at the hottest time of day. Denser gas can give you better gas mileage during your time on the road.

5. Drive More Conservatively

One of the worst things you can do while driving is rapidly accelerating from a stop. Braking hard is similarly detrimental to your vehicle. These two activities can have long-lasting impacts on the fuel economy you enjoy and tear up your engine and other parts of your car. Driving hard impacts your fuel economy between 15% and 30%, depending upon the vehicle you drive. Go easier on the pedals and drive conservatively. By accelerating slowly and braking with lots of distance, you will save your car and improve your overall fuel economy numbers.

6. Ensure Your Vehicle is Properly Maintained

The tip you’ll hear a lot that is ignored more than most is to keep your vehicle properly maintained. Make sure you have your oil changed regularly, check your fluids, have your air filter changed when you need to, and maintain your tires. If you have a check engine light glaring at you on your dashboard, you’ll want to take your car into the shop to have it fixed right away. Proper vehicle maintenance is one of the most important factors in better gas mileage you can enjoy in your vehicle.

7. Use Online Apps and Gas Discount Cards

One way you do control how much you pay at the gas station, which doesn’t directly impact the gas mileage of your vehicle, is to use the online apps and discount cards offered. GasBuddy is an excellent app with discounts at nearly every station. Most stations offer a card that you can sign up for free of charge and enjoy when you fill up at participating stations. You’ll be glad to have lower prices offered when you use apps and discount cards for the fuel you put in your tank.

8. Your Tires Make a Huge Difference

Your tires are the only part of your car that touch the road. If you keep your tires properly inflated and have the right level of tread on them, you’ll enjoy better gas mileage during your drive. If your tires are underinflated by only a little, the fuel mileage drops. Only the powertrain of your vehicle has as much of an impact on the overall fuel economy as the tires and their condition.

9. Keep Your Fuel Cap Tightened

Most vehicles today have gas caps that offer a single click to tell you the cap is on all the way and properly sealed. This is important for the fuel mileage you enjoy during your drive. When the cap is loose, it allows oxygen to get into the tank, which lowers the air pressure and makes it harder for fuel to reach the engine. When the cap is completely tightened, it creates a vacuum to make sure you can have the best fuel mileage from your vehicle.

10. Combine Errands into One Trip Instead of Several

If you’re used to running out each time you need something, you’re wasting gas. If you plan ahead a bit, you’ll want to combine several errands into one trip. The best way to do this is to figure out how you can make your errands into one outing each week instead of several. Keep in mind the more you go back and forth the more you’re going to spend on and use gas. Get better gas mileage by combining trips and avoiding those trips out for one or two items.

Bonus: Use the Cruise Control Whenever You Can

When you’ve got miles of open road in front of you, the cruise control can be your friend, but in stop-and-go traffic, you don’t need to use this feature. Cruise control is a feature of your vehicle that will help the car run at its most efficient. Enjoy the drive with this item and keep your feet off the pedals and let your vehicle return the highest fuel economy results.

Use these tips, and you’re going to receive better gas mileage from your car. These are easy tips that make your drive more affordable and efficient.