Fuel efficiency for everyone: how to get the most out of your gas tank

Filling a gas tank costs a pretty penny; some days, it feels like that price isn’t worth it. Low fuel efficiency is frustrating, and it’s an inconvenience any driver aims to avoid. Fortunately, a few ways exist to improve gas mileage and raise fuel efficiency. Unexpected avenues like weight and tire pressure affect fuel efficiency in surprising ways. Read our list of tips to help you save a few dollars and stop throwing money away.  

1. Keep speed to a minimum

There’s no prize for getting to the grocery store first. It’s easy to find yourself in a rush in a world full of chaos and deadlines. Unless you’re heading to the emergency room, ultra-fast driving is dangerous, unnecessary, and inefficient for fuel purposes. Driving fast forces your engine to work harder, burning an excess amount of fuel in the process. Besides the fact that speeding is illegal and can lead to accidents, it also negatively affects your gas mileage. Staying within or just below the speed limit will keep you safer and keep your bank account happier. If you find it difficult to manage your speeds, try using cruise control. This will automatically keep you at a chosen speed range without the use of the accelerator. Try cutting out high speeds for a week and see proof that this strategy works next time you fill up your tank.

2. An idle engine is a bad engine 

For some of us, daily commutes involve heavy traffic. When roads become congested during rush hour, you may spend more time waiting to hit the gas than you do driving. In moments like this, your engine is burning fuel for essentially no reason. Even with your vehicle at a standstill, fuel is being wasted. If your car is waiting in limbo for more than a few seconds, stuck behind a traffic jam or lingering for long stretches at a red light, turning off the engine is a fuel efficient choice. This way, you can save fuel for when your car is actually moving. 

3. Keep watch of your tire pressure 

Like it or not, ignoring tire pressure can be a significant money waste. Every time tire pressure decreases, an incremental drop in gas mileage occurs as well. Every one psi (pound per square inch) vanishes from your car’s tires, and 0.1 percent of gas mileage vanishes along with it. Though these numbers seem tiny at first glance, they can easily accumulate and spell significant damage to your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. When you commit to maintaining good tire pressure, you’ll see a 3.3 percent uptick in gas mileage. To check on your tire pressure, you can purchase a gauge that will alert you when inflation is necessary. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself, ask an automotive technician for assistance. Doing something as simple as inflating your tires can save you a considerable sum of gas money. 

4. Try shedding those pounds

If your schedule is hectic, you probably drive back and forth to several locations per day. As a result, your trunk may be filled with umbrellas, shopping bags, and the kids’ soccer gear along with other items. Unfortunately, you may cost yourself extra in the long run by keeping your vehicle weighed down. When your car is heavier, the amount of fuel burning increases. To circumvent this, be strategic with storage. Remove the fold-out chairs in your trunk until you’re actually going to the beach, and clear out miscellaneous items you don’t need.

5. Be conservative with fuel purchases 

Depending on the make and model of your car, premium fuels may not be the ideal option. Sometimes, spending more does not equate to better quality. Check your vehicle’s manual or speak to a professional to determine if you’re overspending on high-octane fuels. If you can get away with a cheaper fuel, it’ll help improve gas mileage. 

Shop Transwest 

If you’re itching for a car or truck with better features, it sounds like it’s time to scan the market for something new. At Transwest, we have a vast selection of cars and trucks all sold at reasonable prices. Not only are our vehicles sturdy and reliable, but they’re also sold by knowledgeable, experienced professionals. Browse our online store today, or stop by a physical location to see our latest products up close.