Getting into the habit of saving on fuel now will mean you'll be ready when gas prices start hitting the $4.00 a gallon mark again. No one wants to trade a fuel bill for a car payment on a fuel efficient vehicle, so take a look at our top 5 ways to save on fuel costs and put a little extra money in your pocket.
- Change Your Driving Style
This is hands down the biggest thing you can do to save on fuel. Avoid the hard acceleration, abrupt braking, and running over the speed limit. Depending on the kind of vehicle you drive, just by tempering your driving style can improve your fuel efficiency by more than 5 mpg. Scaling back the speed by just 5 mph means you'll see an increase in fuel economy.
2. Use the Correct Fuel Grade
Experts say you should use the lowest octane rating you can get away with so long as your vehicle doesn't knock. Knock describes what happens when your fuel ignites before it should inside your engine. Finding the right octane for your car can save you $10 to $15 or more each time you fill up.
3. Lose the Weight
With the active lifestyle most of us enjoy, we tend to haul around things in our cars more than we need to. Simply put, the more weight an engine has to move, the more fuel it requires. As the pounds add up inside your vehicle, your fuel economy goes down. Depending on your vehicle and how much stuff you have in the trunk and back seat, an improvement of 2-5 mpg is very possible just by lightening the load.
4. Keep Up with Your Maintenance
Changing your oil regularly and keeping up with the rest of your vehicle's maintenance has a direct impact on fuel economy. As your oil ages, it thickens, and that makes your engine work harder with every revolution. Neglecting parts like your vehicle's oxygen sensor can trick your car into thinking it needs more fuel than it actually does.
5. Check Those Tires
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. A low tire makes your vehicle work that much harder to push down the road. Also, make sure your tires are wearing evenly. Uneven wear means something is out of alignment or a suspension part may be worn, causing your car to fight itself. Again, this makes the engine work harder and burn more fuel.