The average American family will spend $1,935 on gas in 2020 — a significant chunk of change. If you want to increase your fuel efficiency and save money, follow the seven tips below.
1. Get Rid of Dead Weight
The more weight your car hauls, the more gas you'll burn. If you want to save money, drop the excess weight. Leave behind the toolbox, camping chairs and any other unnecessary items.
You can also remove or substitute certain parts on your vehicle. For instance, you can take off unused roof racks, which will reduce weight and drag. You can also replace your rims with lightweight alternatives.
2. Attach a Truck Cap
The open bed of a truck traps wind, reducing your vehicle's aerodynamics and causing drag. The result is worse fuel efficiency. Truck caps, on the other hand, improve aerodynamics and allow you to save money on gas.
Don’t like the look of caps? An alternative is a tonneau cover. These covers allow air to flow smoothly across the back of the truck and don't hinder your visibility while driving.
3. Check Your Tire Pressure
You can improve your gas mileage by up to 3% if you keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower your fuel efficiency by around 0.2% for every 1 PSI drop.
How can you find the correct tire pressure for your vehicle? This information is typically on a sticker inside the driver's door. If there's no sticker, check your owner's manual. Most passenger cars recommend between 30 and 35 PSI.
4. Look at the Gas Cap Seal
How often do you inspect the rubber seal around your gas cap? This seal can break down over time, allowing oxygen to enter the fuel tank. As a result, excess air enters the engine as it pulls gas from the tank, making it burn more fuel.
Replacing the gas cap is simple for most vehicles — you can also turn to a trusted mechanic for help. If you replace this cap every few years, it’s guaranteed to have a tight seal.
5. Drive the Speed Limit
Some of us like to put the pedal to the metal. But did you know that you can get better gas mileage if you drive the speed limit? It’s true.
Each vehicle hits its optimal fuel economy at a different speed. However, gas mileage tends to decrease rapidly at speeds above 50 mpg. Each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon.
6. Use Your Cruise Control
When you drive at varying speeds — accelerating from 47 to 55 mph and back down again — your car will burn more gas. To save money, use your car's cruise control. This functionality allows you to improve your fuel economy.
Don’t have cruise control? Keep an eye on your speedometer. If you can maintain a steady speed and avoid excessive acceleration, your wallet will thank you.
7. Keep Your Windows Up
When your windows are down, air flows through your vehicle, increasing drag — similar to if you have an open truck bed. If you want to increase your gas mileage, keep those windows up.
Similarly, running your AC on high can also reduce your fuel economy by up to 25%. If you have the air blasting, expect a drop of 1 to 4 miles per gallon.
Save Money on Gas the Easy Way
From dumping the extra weight to driving with the windows up, it’s easy to save a few bucks and get the most out of your vehicle.
Need a tune-up to ensure your car is running in tip-top shape? Contact Muncy Restoration Works for an appointment.
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