Driving a car is a necessity for many, a joy for others, and for some, both. That said, driving often is expensive. You need to take steps to reduce costs whenever possible (without sacrificing safety, of course).
One way to do so is to maximize your fuel economy. Although not all vehicles are as fuel-efficient as others, in general, there are steps you can take to reduce how much gas you use out on the road. They include the following:
Optimizing Fuel Usage: 7 Tips You Need to Know
Drive Steady
It’s already important to obey the posted speed limit for obvious safety reasons. However, maintaining a relatively slow and steady speed will also help you boost your vehicle’s fuel economy. Accelerating and braking frequently, on the other hand, will increase how much fuel you use. By driving at steady pace, you’ll be safer, and you’ll save money.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated
Get into the habit of checking your tire pressure a few times a week (and make sure they aren’t bald). Driving on under-inflated tires is yet another way you’ll end up using more fuel than you otherwise might. When tires are under-inflated, resistance simply increases. This is a common problem that is fortunately very easy to avoid.
Remove Excess Weight
Driving with more weight than necessary will put your vehicle through wear and tear. Additionally, it will force your car to use excessive amounts of fuel. Guard against this issue by removing heavy items from the vehicle when you don’t need them.
Plan Accordingly
If you take the time to plan car trips out ahead of time (even if you’re simply running weekend errands), you’ll often find there are many ways you can combine various parts of a trip to reduce how much traveling you need to do. This will naturally reduce how much fuel you use behind the wheel.
Avoid Idling
Are you in a position where you anticipate your vehicle will idle for longer than a minute? If so, consider just putting it in park, as long as you confidently believe doing so won’t result in an unsafe situation. Excessive idling leads to excessive fuel consumption. If you’re in the market for a new car, you might also want to look into vehicles with stop-start technology features.
Stay on Top of Maintenance
If you needed another reason to schedule regular car tune-ups, consider the fact that maintaining your vehicle properly is key to maximizing fuel economy. While there are some maintenance tasks you can handle on your own, it’s also important to ensure professionals have frequent opportunities to confirm your car is in the best possible condition. This is another step that will boost both your fuel economy and your safety.
Pay Attention
Don’t just assume that taking these steps is helping your car use fuel more efficiently. Monitor your fuel economy routinely. If you notice a problem, it could mean your car needs service.
No frequent driver needs to be told that staying fueled can be expensive. Luckily, maximizing fuel economy doesn’t need to be very difficult. These simple tips will help.
