Gas Mileage Tips

21 Great Gas Saving Tips to consider:

1. Keep your engine tuned up. Incorrect fuel ratio, bad spark plugs and incorrect spark timing can have a big effect on gas mileage.

2. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings – 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

3. Don’t start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

4. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don’t push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

5. Avoid stops and go traffic by taking alternative routes or less congested travel times.

6. Don’t use your air conditioner (A/C) unless you really need it. The A/C compressor puts an extra strain on the engine.

7. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!

8. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer’s specifications for maximum tire pressures

9. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.

10. Use a good engine oil, preferably a synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. These have been known to improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.

11. Reduce the weight in your vehicle as much as possible. (Good excuse to get the mother-in-law out of the car….)

12. Use your cruise control whenever possible.

13. Keeping your highway speed at 55 mph can improve you gas mileage by as much as 25%, compared to 75 mph. (Yeah, I know–this one’s tough for us too)

14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating – the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

15. Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you’re on it.

16. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

17. Keep your windows closed when possible. Open windows actually reduce gas mileage compared to using the A/C.

18. Remove accessories, such as luggage rack, etc. that lower the aerodynamics of your vehicle.

19. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.

20. Ask other people with the same type of car what kind of gas mileage they get, it may alert you to a problem with your car.

21. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense – all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

For more great gas saving tips take a look at The Ultimate Gas Saver Guide and let us know what you think about it.