Fuel Economy Tips
Avoid High Speeds
As speed increases, aerodynamic drag increases in an exponential fashion. Driving 62 mph (100 km/h) vs 75 mph (120 km/h) will reduce fuel consumption by about 15%.
Drive Smoothly
By anticipating the traffic and applying slow steady acceleration and braking, fuel economy may increase by as much as 20%. This also saves wear and tear on your brakes, clutch and other mechanical items, saving you money in repairs down the road.
Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Keep tire air pressure at the level recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. A single tire under inflated by 2 PSI, increases fuel consumption by 1%. It’s also critical that tires be properly inflated for safety and handling reasons - check this weekly, and consider switching to nitrogen when you fill your tires with air - it doesn’t leak as easily as air, thus maintaining tire pressures longer at the proper levels.
Easy on the A/C
When the air conditioner is on it puts extra load on the engine forcing more fuel to be used (by about 20%). The defrost position on most vehicles also uses the air conditioner. Not such a big deal on soft-tops, so see the next point. Keep in mind that newer cars tend to use the AC condenser a lot, so make sure you actively switch it off when not in use.
Close your Windows
Windows open, especially at highway speeds, increase drag and result in decreased fuel economy of up to 10%. Dropping your ragtop or opening your sunroof has the same effect.
Service Vehicle Regularly
Proper maintenance avoids poor fuel economy related to dirty air filters, old spark plugs or low fluid levels. A switch to synthetic oil can also help with a slight, though noticeable, bump in fuel economy. Be sure to follow your dealers recommendations if the car is new. Engines need time to “seat” properly and synthetic oil is slick enough to stop this from happening in some cases.
Use Cruise Control
Maintaining a constant speed over long distances often saves gas. Next time you’re going on a run, set the cruise at the posted speed limit - watch how much less fuel you use that day. This tip alone could net you upwards of 10% more range on your next highway trip with a full tank of fuel.
Avoid Heavy Loads
Remove the sand bags from your trunk in the spring and pack lightly for long trips. Seriously, there’s no need to be hauling all your tools, spare parts and sand bags when you’re going to get groceries.
Avoid Idling
If you anticipate being stopped for more than 1 minute, shut off the car. Restarting uses less fuel than letting it idle for this time. It’s harder on the starter, but overall, you’ll save money. This isn’t practical at stop lights and such, but when running errands or waiting for your spouse at the dry cleaners, turn off the car and save some money.
Buy a Beater
Lots of folks are choosing to simply park their much loved, inefficient cars during the week and drive a fuel efficient car to and from work. There’s no need to give up your truck or SUV. Just buy a smaller, efficient car for commuting to work in, or running everyday errands. A recent switch for me was selling my Jeep and buying a Volkswagen diesel. I went from spending about $500 a month in fuel, to around $200 - the difference is my car payment. Same outlay of cash each month, but it netted me a car that was 12 years newer than my Jeep - and more reliable.
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