With fuel costs digging deeper into your pockets, it’s always beneficial to know how to get better gas mileage.
From making sure your vehicle has regular tune-ups to learning to have a lighter foot, there are plenty of ways to pinch pennies. Here are a few tips to make sure you can take your summer road trips without paying a fortune in gas!
Don’t Be Heavy Footed
Going fast is great, and we know how much fun it is to accelerate quickly, but if you do this you will be paying a lot more in gas money. Driving above 65mph can drop your fuel mileage by as much as 15%. Obviously, we know you can’t be driving slow on the freeway. But when entering the on-ramp, try not to accelerate too quickly. The harder you press down on the gas pedal, the more gas you’re using.
This also goes with braking – take it easy on the pedal! Stop-and-go braking can waste a ton of fuel, and can add more wear-and-tear to your brakes. In order to make it easier on your fuel mileage, be cognisant of what’s ahead. If you’re approaching a light that is turning red, apply your brakes a little earlier than usual. This makes the stoppage easier, and in turn becomes more cost effective for you!
Air Filter
Many people don’t realize that if their vehicle’s air filter is doing its job, it’s going to get clogged. This is because air filters are meant to suck up dirt, dust, and other particles in order to protect your engine from doing so. Of course, once it gets clogged it can no longer do its job as well as it used to. If not enough airflow is coming through, your engine will make up for it by working harder and using more fuel.
Changing an air filter is an easy easy way to get better gas mileage. All you have to do is go to your local parts store and find the right model for your car. Then you open the hood locate the filter, open the case, take out the old filter and put the new one in. Done! For a low cost, you’ve may have very well just substantially increased your MPG.
Maintain Your Tires
Tires a huge factor in controlling your MPG. A well-maintained tire can make all the difference when it comes to making sure you’re saving money with your fuel economy. Under-inflated tires can reduce MPG by 0.3% for every 1 PSI drop in pressure in all four tires.
Maintain your tires to ensure the best quality MPG. Be aware of when it’s time to change your tires – if they’re bald and have no traction that means your car is going to work harder and use up more fuel. Well-maintained tires are one of the most effective ways of saving fuel mileage so make sure your cars tires are pumped and in good condition!
Clean Out the Junk
Weight is a huge factor when it comes to gas mileage. Every kilogram of weight taken off your car means less effort for your engine to move the vehicle. So spend an hour today cleaning all of the junk out of your car. Find things in your trunk that have been sitting there a long time, and store them in your garage/basement. You’ll find yourself saving a ton of money on gas by simply cleaning!
Turn Off Engines When Stopped
We know how bad traffic can get at rush hour, and nothing is more frustrating than being at a complete halt in gridlock. However, you can at least get better gas mileage in these situations by turning off your engines while idling in these instances. When your engine is off, it’s not using any gas, therefore saving you some MPG!
Some people are brave enough to even turn off their engines when at red lights. While it may seem pointless to have your engines off for 30 seconds at a time, after a while you will see a difference in your fuel economy. However, this method may get you a lot of honks and dirty looks from other drivers so be careful if choosing to do this!
Gas is an expensive aspect of owning a car, so it’s important to make sure you’re getting the best mileage possible. Following these simple tips can ensure that you’re getting the best mileage, and can also help your car’s longevity. Make sure your car is ready for your long summer road trips and enjoy driving this summer!
Remember, if you need parts to make sure your car’s in great condition for summer, GM Outlet Parts has what you need!
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