Advertisement
Money & Company

Tips to get better gas mileage

By Jerry Hirsch
Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Here are some easy ways to stretch more mileage from your vehicle from auto information companies TrueCar.com and AutoMD.com:

  • Drive smoother: Be gentle with your gas pedal and your brakes. There’s no reason to speed up to a red light just to slam on the brakes. Aggressive driving will lower your gas mileage.
  • Slow down: Most vehicles get the best fuel efficiency between 45 and 55 miles per hour. Driving more than 60 mph can cut fuel efficiency 7% to 23%.
  • Reduce idling: Turn off your engine if you’re waiting for more than 20 seconds. Idling wastes more gas than turning off your engine and restarting it.
  • Use lower grade fuel: Regular unleaded fuel won’t hurt most vehicles even if premium unleaded fuel is required. Unless your engine starts to knock or ping when using a lower-grade fuel, stick to regular.
  • Remove excess weight: An extra 100 pounds sitting in the trunk or back seat can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2%.
  • Turn on the ventilator and turn off the air conditioning: The most efficient way to cool your car is with the air that comes in through your flow-through ventilator. Air conditioning or open windows (because of the drag) make your vehicle less fuel-efficient. Driving fast with the windows open can burn more fuel than the air conditioner.
  • Replace or tighten the gas cap: Fuel evaporates through gas caps with broken or weak seals, potentially reducing your efficiency by 2%.
  • Keep the tires inflated: Tires that are not properly inflated have a higher rolling resistance, which reduces efficiency. Keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure can improve gas mileage by up to 3.3%.
  • Change the oil: Energy-conserving or synthetic motor oil can reduce engine friction, improving efficiency by as much as 2%.
  • Replace the spark plugs: Misfiring spark plugs can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30%

RELATED:

Advertisement

PETA wants spider-infested Mazdas

$56-million pay day for Ford’s chief executive

Honda Accords share Mazda spider-infestation problem

-- Jerry Hirsch
Twitter.com/LATimesJerry

Money & Company
Jerry Hirsch

A third-generation Angeleno, Jerry Hirsch covered the automotive industry for the Los Angeles Times. He wrote frequently about consumer and safety issues in the car business and the relationship between the auto industry and the state and national economies. He has a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He left The Times in 2015.

Advertisement