How to Maximize Fuel Economy
The way you drive directly affects your fuel economy. Rapid acceleration from a stop increases gasoline consumption, while planning efficient driving and maintaining a constant speed within the posted limit can help you go further on a full tank. Follow these 10 tips to achieve better fuel consumption. You can simply make fewer stops at the gas station and save money too.
1. Plan Your Trips
Map out a route before leaving to minimize unnecessary U-turns and backtracking. Avoid peak hours. Combine errands and appointments at “one-stop shops” where you can handle multiple tasks (banking, shopping, etc.).
2. Monitor Your Speed
Fuel economy peaks at around 50 mph for most cars, then decreases as speed increases. Reducing highway speed by 5 to 10 mph can increase fuel economy by 7 to 14%.
3. Drive Cautiously
Avoid jackrabbit starts, rapid accelerations, and hard braking, which can reduce fuel economy by 15 to 30% at highway speeds and 10 to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
4. Avoid Excessive Idling
A car engine consumes a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour while idling, but a warm engine only takes about 10 seconds worth of fuel to restart. If you can do so safely, turn off your engine if you expect to be stopped for more than a minute.
5. Use a “Fast Pass” on Toll Roads
Having a prepaid pass on toll roads allows you to use the express lane, saving fuel by minimizing or eliminating slowdowns and stops at toll booths.
6. Avoid Rush Hour
Take advantage of flexible work hours to avoid commuting during peak times.
7. Anticipate Road Conditions
Watch the traffic ahead and “time” red lights to maintain your momentum and avoid unnecessary stops and starts.
8. Use Cruise Control
Driving at a constant speed on the highway saves gas. However, never use cruise control on slippery roads as it could lead to loss of vehicle control.
9. Shift Gears Efficiently
If your car has a manual transmission, shift to a higher gear as soon as possible. When stopping, use the brakes. Do not downshift to slow the car.
10. Drive to Warm Up the Engine
In cold weather, start the engine and then drive the car normally to warm up the engine. Driving brings the engine to operating temperature faster and thus saves gas.