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Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips

We Know Gas Isn’t Cheap…

Over the course of your vehicle’s life, gasoline will be one of the largest expenses you face. One way to curb your spending (no pun intended) is to adjust your driving habits so that you’re more conscious of how much fuel you may be using. Driving for economy purposes isn’t about hurrying to your destination, it is a slow and steady approach to driving. One of the fundamental ideas being that economy driving is all about building speed steadily, sustaining your momentum, and trying now to lose it.

Related: What Happens If You Put The Wrong Fuel In Your Car?

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Top 4 Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips

1. Throttle Control

A car is most efficient when its speed is constant.

This is achieved by holding the accelerator pedal in a steady position while driving. When possible, driving with economy in mind can result in unbelievably accurate consumption figures provided by the manufacturer (i.e. the miles per gallon they say you’ll get on the highway!).

However, modern driving conditions make it challenging to maintain a steady speed, even on highways. If you’re being forced to slow down, try to gauge the speed you should reach by the time you arrive at whatever is causing traffic to slow down. By easing off of the gas pedal and allowing the car to slow down on its own, rather than slamming on the brakes at the last moment, you are not only improving the fuel efficiency, but you’re protecting your brakes from unnecessary wear and damage.

2. Accelerating

We are all guilty of speeding at some point in our lives. Whether you’re running a bit late, so your foot is a little heavier, or you just can’t stand to wait at another light… When you accelerate your car quickly, the speed will increase temporarily, but you will have also burned more fuel than you would have if you gradually reached the desired speed. Keep in mind, each time your foot presses the pedal, fuel is being injected into the engine. How that fuel is used is entirely up to you!

3. Weight

The weight a vehicle is carrying will absolutely affect the fuel. If you’re planning a road trip with 4 of your closest friends, you may want everyone to pitch in a bit more for the gas, as you’ll notice needing to stop to refill more frequently than you would if it were just you and another person. Imagine the car is like a body. At first, you may not notice the 10 pounds you gained this fall, but by the time you’ve gained 20, you’re starting to feel the struggle. Now imagine adding 50 pounds to your overall weight! There is no way you wouldn’t feel the stress of that by the end of the day.
The same can be said for your car. It may not have muscles and bones, but adding more weight adds significant stress to the engine, which translates to poor gas mileage. The longer you drive with extra weight, the more wear your car will experience.

4. Tire Pressure

One of the easiest ways to improve your gas mileage is to confirm that your tire pressure is correct. Frequently, drivers assume that if the tread looks good and the tires make contact with the road, they assume the tires are fine. This isn’t always the case, particularly if you live in an especially cold or hot climate. In cold weather, rubber contracts, but in hot weather, the rubber expands. The act of expanding and contracting again can affect the pressure of the tires. There are plenty of useful gadgets you can use to check your tire pressure, and then adjust it to the recommended pressure.

Don’t Waste Hard Earned Money on Excess Fuel!

If you think you’ve been spending a lot more on gasoline recently, you might be right. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it. Schedule an appointment now to have a trusted mechanic help you find the right solution for your problem. Call or schedule online with one of our 14 Colorado Front Range locations for a FREE Vehicle Courtesy Check.

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