Useful Tips to Improve Your Gas Mileage

1. Maintain Your Vehicle
   Regular vehicle maintenance is crucial for optimizing gas mileage. Keep up with routine tasks like oil changes, air filter replacements, and tire rotations. A well-maintained engine operates more efficiently, reducing the fuel it consumes. A dirty air filter or low tire pressure can cause your engine to work harder and burn more gas.
2. Check Your Tire Pressure
   Speaking of tire pressure, keeping your tires properly inflated is essential. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, making your engine work harder to move the vehicle. Check your tire pressure regularly, including the spare tire, and inflate them to the recommended levels specified in your owner's manual.
3. Drive Smoothly
   Aggressive driving habits like rapid acceleration, sharp braking, and speeding can significantly reduce gas mileage. To maximize fuel efficiency, practice smooth driving. Accelerate gradually, maintain a consistent speed, and anticipate stops to avoid unnecessary braking. Driving smoothly can improve your gas mileage by up to 33% on the highway and 5% in the city.
4. Use Cruise Control
   When driving on highways or long stretches of road, engage your vehicle's cruise control system. Cruise control helps maintain a constant speed, reducing the need for frequent acceleration and deceleration. This can lead to improved fuel efficiency and fewer stops at the gas pump.
5. Reduce Idling Time
   Leaving your engine running while parked or idling for extended periods consumes unnecessary fuel. Turn off your machine if you anticipate waiting for more than a minute. Modern engines are designed to use less energy when restarted than when idling for extended periods.
6. Lighten Your Load
   Carrying excess weight in your vehicle can negatively impact gas mileage. Remove unnecessary items from your car, trunk, or roof rack to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. For every 100 pounds of extra weight, your gas mileage can drop by 1-2%.
7. Plan Your Trips
   Efficient trip planning can help you save both time and fuel. Combine errands to minimize the trips you need to make and reduce cold starts, which consume more power. Use GPS or navigation apps to find the most efficient routes with less traffic and congestion.
8. Choose the Right Fuel
   Using the recommended octane rating for your vehicle is essential. Using a higher-octane fuel than your vehicle requires won't improve performance or fuel efficiency. Stick to the manufacturer's recommendations to save money on fuel costs.