My husband and I just got back from our first road trip in our new car. One of the features it has that he was absolutely enthralled with is a gas mileage tracker, which monitors your usage as you drive, and then averages your trip out when you shut the car off. I’ve never paid much attention to it, but it inspired him to investigate how he could be more fuel-efficient in order to save more money (in addition to the fact that we were stuck in a car for nine hours). He shared a few tips with me that I’d like to pass along to you. Try them out and see if you notice a difference!
1. Obey the speed limit. Gas mileage tends to decrease at speeds over 50 mph. Each 5 mph that you go over that limit will add to your fueling expenses. Plus, it’s safer. Take advantage of your cruise control option to maintain a consistent speed.
2. Control your road rage. Speeding, quick acceleration, and hard braking wastes gas. Drive safely!
3. Turn off your engine. You’ll waste more gas letting your car idle than you will turning it off and starting it again when you need to.
4. Avoid hauling things on your roof. We’ve all seen the “turtle shells” people use to transport extra gear – my parents used to load one up every time we went to the beach. This makes your vehicle less aerodynamic, which makes it less fuel-efficient. If you have to use one, take it off when you don’t need it.
5. Ditch the extras. Avoid lugging around additional weight in your car, especially heavier items that will weigh it down.
6. Be smart when staying cool or warming up. It’s actually more cost effective to use your A/C on the highway than it is to roll your windows down. It’s also not the best idea to warm your car up before your morning commute in the winter, as tempting as it may be.
7. Check your wheels. Make sure your tire pressure is where it should be.
8. Buy the right gasoline. Unless your car absolutely requires premium gas, opt for the regular grade. The more expensive stuff won’t affect your fuel economy, so you’re essentially overpaying.
Do you have any tricks or tips for boosting your fuel efficiency? Share your savings with us!
