Driving Habits
The biggest factor effecting your fuel economy is you. Let's look at simple simple things we can do to maximize our fuel economy.
- Aggressive Driving- Fast starts and stops can lower our fuel economy by as much as 33%. Pulling away from stop lights and signs slowly, giving ourselves plenty of time to brake, and not passing people on the highway are all things that can have a large impact on our fuel usage. A 33% fuel economy increase is equivalent to saving $1.28 a gallon!
- Drive the Speed Limit- High speed driving is another fuel economy killer. Vehicles generally get the best fuel economy while maintaining highway speeds. Driving over 60 mph can greatly decrease your fuel economy. For every 5 mph you drive over 60, it is like paying an extra $0.25 a gallon. High speed driving can have as much as a 23% effect on your fuel economy.
- Remove Excess Cargo- If your vehicle is hauling around extra weight it has to work harder, and will use more fuel. Every 100 pounds of excess cargo can change fuel economy by as much as 2%, the equivalent to paying and extra $0.08 a gallon.
- Other Factors- There are some other factors that will effect your furl economy that are somewhat difficult to put a dollar figure behind. Avoid excessive idling, your vehicle gets 0 mpg at idle. If you are going to be sitting for more than a minute or two, shut your vehicle off. Use overdrive gears when at all possible. Overdrive is the most efficient gear in your car, not using overdrive at speeds over 40 mph can greatly decrease fuel economy. Also try to combine and plan trip effectively. The less you drive the more you save. If your vehicle has a roof rack or a Thule rack that you never use, take it off. These things will cause wind drag and change your fuel economy. In the summer driving with your windows down usually has a greater effect on fuel economy that your air conditioning does for the same reason.
Your Car
- Keep Your Vehicle Running Right- Keeping your vehicle tuned will help ensure your engine is running as efficiently as it is able to. Keeping your vehicle tuned up and getting periodic maintenance such as fuel injector cleaning, air induction cleaning, and other services will help your vehicle run efficiently. Keeping your vehicle tuned can have a 4% effect on fuel economy, equivalent to a $0.15/gallon savings at the pump.
- Check Engine Light- Every 1996 and newer vehicle is equipped with a check engine light. This check engine light only comes on when there is a vehicle fault that will cause your emissions to go 1.5 times the legal limit. High emissions are caused by your engine not burning fuel efficiently. Failures such as an oxygen sensor can cause as much as a 40% decrease in your fuel economy, which would equate to a $1.56 per gallon increase at the pump! If your check engine light is on, it may be more economical to get it repaired as opposed to paying more at the pump.
- Keep Tires Properly inflated- This is one of the leading causes of poor fuel economy. Under-inflated tires make the vehicle more difficult to push down the road. Your mileage can drop .3% for every 1 psi your four tires are low. Every vehicle has a manufacturer recommended tire inflation pressure sticker somewhere; they are usually in the driver door jam, or the glove box. Also make sure you have the proper tires for your vehicle. You should check your tire pressure every time you fill your vehicle. Many places sell tire pressure gauges that stick to the inside of your fuel door with a magnet.
- Engine Oil- Make sure to keep your oil changed on a regular basis. Keeping your vehicle running with high quality, clean engine oil will reduce friction, thus reducing engine load and fuel usage. It is also very important to use the recommended grade of oil. You should be able to find this in the owner's manual or on the oil fill cap. This can have a 1-2% effect on your fuel economy.
