Maximizing Fuel Efficiency: How to Get Better Gas Mileage for Your Car or Truck
Having to fuel up at the gas station can put a hit on your wallet these days. And with rising fuel costs and growing environmental concerns, improving your vehicle’s fuel efficiency has never been more important. That’s why making small changes in driving habits and vehicle maintenance can have a significant impact on how far your tank of gas will take you. So, in this blog, the experts at Meineke in Madison review some some of the best ways to maximize fuel efficiency that will save you money at the pump.
1. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Keeping your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure is one of the easiest and most effective ways to boost fuel efficiency. Because, under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance. And this forces your engine to work harder and burn more fuel. So, check your tire pressure at least once a month, especially during seasonal temperature changes.
Pro Tip: The recommended tire pressure can usually be found on a sticker inside the driver’s door or in the vehicle’s owner manual. However, over-inflating your tires, can reduce grip and handling. So stick to the recommended levels.
2. Lighten Your Load
Carrying excess weight in your vehicle increases fuel usage. So, even though trucks are often used for hauling, regularly clean out unnecessary items from your trunk or truck bed. Because, this can reduce the strain on your engine and improve gas mileage. And remember, for every extra 100 pounds, your fuel efficiency can drop by about 1-2%.
Pro Tip: If you have a roof rack or cargo carrier that you don’t use often, consider removing it when not in use. Because, it can create additional drag, lowering your vehicle’s aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
3. Avoid Idling
When your car or truck is idling, it’s burning fuel without moving an inch. Yet, today’s modern engines don’t require long warm-up times, even in colder weather. So, if you’re waiting for more than a minute, it’s generally more fuel-efficient to turn the engine off and restart when you’re ready to move. And in fact, many newer vehicles also come equipped with automatic start-stop technology to save fuel during idle moments.
4. Drive Smoothly
Aggressive driving habits, such as rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding, can lower your fuel efficiency significantly. Whereas smooth, gradual acceleration and maintaining a consistent speed will save fuel and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.
Pro Tip: Use cruise control on highways to maintain a constant speed and save gas.
5. Reduce Air Conditioner Use
Using the air conditioner puts additional load on the engine, which can reduce fuel efficiency. So, while it’s fine to stay comfortable on a hot day, try to use your AC sparingly, especially in stop-and-go traffic. And at lower speeds, rolling down your windows is often more fuel-efficient. However, at highway speeds, open windows increase drag, so using the AC might be the better option in those cases.
6. Get Regular Tune-Ups and Oil Changes
A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently and burns fuel more effectively. So, regular oil changes, replacing spark plugs, and ensuring that your fuel and air filters are clean help maintain peak engine performance. And this, of course, improves gas mileage. Whereas, a dirty air filter, for example, can reduce airflow into the engine. And this causes it to work harder and use more fuel.
Pro Tip: Follow your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual for optimal performance. Or, call Meineke in Madison to put together a maintenance schedule that meets your lifestyle, driving habits and budget.
7. Use High-Quality Fuel and Fluids
While it may be tempting to save a few cents by using lower-quality fuel or oil, premium products often provide better performance and longevity for your engine. Because, high-quality fuel contains detergents that keep your engine cleaner. And better oils reduce friction in your engine, allowing it to operate more smoothly and efficiently.
8. Avoid Excessive Speeding
The faster you drive, the more fuel your vehicle consumes. And for most cars and trucks, fuel efficiency peaks at around 50-60 mph, decreasing sharply after that. So, driving at 70 mph instead of 60 mph can reduce your fuel economy by 10-15%. Therefore, keep your speed in check to make a big difference in how often you need to fill up.
9. Keep Your Vehicle Aerodynamic
Your vehicle’s aerodynamics play a big role in its fuel efficiency. Because, anything that increases drag (ie: driving with windows down at highway speeds or using large external attachments) forces your engine to work harder. So streamline your vehicle to reduce resistance and help you go farther on less fuel.
Use these Tips By Meineke to Stretch Your Fuel Dollars
By making a few adjustments to your driving habits and staying on top of your vehicle’s maintenance, you can dramatically improve your fuel efficiency. And this will save you money over time. So, whether you’re commuting to work or embarking on a road trip, these tips will help you get the most out of every gallon. And, remember a well maintained vehicle is a fuel efficient one. So call Meineke on Milwaukee Street to set up an affordable maintenance schedule.
If the Meineke on Milwaukee Street in Madison is not a convenient location, check out these other locally-owned Meineke locations:
MEINEKE SHEBOYGAN #2989
3667 S Taylor Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Call (920) 783-6013
MEINEKE MADISON #355
4008 Milwaukee Street
Madison, WI 53714
Call (844) 374-1281
MEINEKE MADISON #1649
437 Commerce Drive
Madison, WI 53719
Call (833) 814-2314
MEINEKE SUN PRAIRIE #2057
2518 Ironwood Drive
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Call (844) 687-9785
MEINEKE APPLETON #2136
1708 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Appleton, WI 54914
Call (866) 532-0443
MEINEKE COTTAGE GROVE #2474
222 W. Cottage Grove Road
Cottage Grove, WI 53527
Call (844) 453-2300
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