Getting Better Gas Mileage: 10 Easy Ways

We all love our cars, but nobody enjoys watching gas prices climb at the pump. Gas is a serious expense for many families, especially when prices increase. By learning some easy ways to improve your vehicle’s MPG, you can learn how to keep those costs down. This can include things as simple as changing your personal habits or driving new routes to work every day. Continue reading to learn 10 simple techniques for improving your vehicle’s MPG.

Reduce AC Usage

Image via Flickr by Ken Hawkins | CC by 2.0

Air conditioning can be a lifesaver on hot summer days, but it can also seriously reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. While it’s sometimes tempting to crank up the AC in your vehicle, try to open a window instead. Although it’s unnecessary to stop using your AC completely, limiting your use can be a simple and cost-free way to stretch your gas mileage.

Keep Your Vehicle Light

Many of us carry a lot of gear and baggage in our vehicles. This could include camping gear that you forgot to take out of your trunk, or a bag of clothes you meant to donate ages ago. Whatever you keep in the car, it’s helpful to remove these items if you don’t need them on a day-to-day basis. This can reduce the weight of your vehicle and lower your fuel usage.

Use the Right Oil

Your vehicle is constantly pumping oil through its engine. The viscosity or thickness of the oil directly affects how hard your engine has to work to move it through its various components. The harder your engine works, the lower its fuel efficiency. Because of this, it’s important to use motor oil with the right viscosity.

When purchasing oil, always check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your vehicle. Cold weather can also increase oil viscosity and lower fuel efficiency. At Spokane Hyundai, you can always talk to one of our mechanics about what oil viscosity you need during the winter months.

Invest in Regular Maintenance

There’s a wide range of factors that can affect your vehicle’s performance, including broken parts or missing coolant. It might be difficult to monitor all these factors yourself, which is why it’s important to get regular maintenance from a professional mechanic. Try to take your vehicle in for routine inspections, especially before the winter months and any long trips. It’s also helpful to monitor your check engine light. As soon as you see a lit indicator, be sure to take your vehicle to your local service center.

Respond to Temperature Changes

The temperature outside can have a huge impact on how you drive and how your car performs. Fortunately, there are several steps that you can take to keep your fuel efficiency at a peak as the weather changes. Hot summer weather can actually improve it since the engine doesn’t need to heat up as much. The primary drain on fuel during hot weather is air conditioning. Try to open your windows at low speeds and use your AC as little as possible. You can also try to park in the shade so that your car doesn’t get too hot.

During the winter months, your car’s engine may struggle to heat up instead. When your engine works harder, it can consume more fuel, which decreases your fuel efficiency overall. One way to prevent this is to use a block heater. This can help your engine reach its most efficient temperature more quickly and reduce emissions for a healthier environment.

Use Cruise Control and Monitor Your Speed

Inconsistent speeds and frequent acceleration or breaking are some of the biggest drains on your car’s fuel. While this is unavoidable while driving in town, you can take advantage of your highway drives to increase your MPG. Cruise control systems are your friend when you’re on a long journey on the road. It can maintain a constant speed and decrease the need for constant acceleration, plus help you monitor your car’s speed levels overall. Most vehicles are most efficient at around 50 mph or a little higher, but it’s important to review your vehicle’s specs before adjusting the settings.

Plan Your Trips

If you’re looking for a super simple way to save money on fuel, consider eliminating unnecessary driving during a trip. It might be helpful to plan all of your driving journeys ahead, including fuel stops. Try to organize all of your stops in a strategic way that eliminates unnecessary detours and consider mapping out different routes. This can help you avoid fuel-wasting traffic and shorten your driving times.

Keep an Eye on Your Tires

Although many people don’t realize it, your tires can have a big impact on your fuel efficiency. Deflated tires can cause more resistance, forcing your vehicle’s engine to work harder. Over-inflated tires can also suffer increased wear and may need to be replaced sooner. To avoid both scenarios, consult the manufacturer specifications for your car and find out their recommendations for ideal tire pressure. Then, monitor your tires regularly so you can inflate them when they dip below their ideal level.

Avoid Idling

Idling or remaining stationary with your engine running is one of the quickest ways to waste gas. Although it’s often tough to avoid idling while stuck in a traffic jam, consider shutting off your engine during long stoplights. You can also try to screen your routes before leaving the house to avoid the rush hour traffic or reported accident spots. Finally, if you want to stop for a snack, consider parking and entering a restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through.

Invest in a More Efficient Vehicle

Although the techniques above can be great for saving money, some cars just use more gas than others. If your vehicle is a gas-guzzler, it may be time to invest in a more efficient vehicle. Here at Spokane Hyundai, we have a range of hybrid and electric SUVs and sedans and would love to help you transition to a more efficient car. You can visit our showroom in Spokane, Washington, or contact anyone on our staff to talk about our current inventory. We look forward to helping you find the right Hyundai for your lifestyle and budgeting needs.

Those are 10 of our favorite tricks for increasing your vehicle’s MPG. We hope these techniques will allow you to save some money on fuel and improve your driving experience. If you think it’s time to upgrade to a more efficient vehicle, contact our sales team at 509-944-3600 or browse our selection of hybrid and electric vehicles online.