Fuel efficiency is important to many people, especially those dealing with rising gas prices. Understanding how to improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency can save you money and help reduce your carbon footprint.
Driving styles and habits are big contributors to fuel efficiency. For example, idling burns up a lot of gas, while cruising on the highway gets better mileage.
Buying a new car
If fuel efficiency is a primary concern, buying a new car is the best option. The latest vehicles meet the highest standards for mpg, and they often come equipped with safety features that aren’t available in older models. This includes lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control, which help reduce driver fatigue. Newer vehicles also have better balance and braking systems, making them easier to drive and more reliable.
If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, it’s worth noting that the difference in mpg is only slight. But you can still make a difference by changing driving habits. If possible, avoid idling your car and consider combining trips to save on gas. You can also maximize your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by keeping it clean and following the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.
Fuel efficiency and fuel economy are two different metrics that measure the distance your vehicle can travel using a given amount of gasoline or other type of power source. Although they’re similar, the terms are not interchangeable. Miles per gallon is a specific metric commonly used in the United States and other countries that use the imperial unit. Other nations, including those in Europe, Japan, Australia and Latin America, use the metric unit of kilometers per liter (kpl). The lower the kpl value, the more economic your vehicle is, since it uses less fuel to achieve a particular distance.
Driving habits
Whether driving an electric car or a gas powered one, drivers can improve their fuel efficiency by changing their driving habits. Some of these changes are easy, like avoiding driving at times when traffic is most congested, and others involve more significant lifestyle changes such as reducing the use of electronic gadgets while on the road.
Accelerating forcefully uses up a lot of fuel. This is especially true for drivers who constantly jab at the accelerator during lane changes or passing maneuvers. Likewise, repeatedly accelerating from a stop or from a steep incline eats up lots of fuel.
Conversely, coasting toward a stop sign or red light instead of slamming on the brakes is more efficient. This not only saves fuel, but also reduces wear on your tires and brakes. It is also better for the environment, as a smoother drive cuts down on air pollution.
Another way to increase your fuel efficiency is to minimize idling. Keep the vehicle moving when possible, and switch it off completely if you will be sitting for more than 10 seconds. Make sure the tyres are properly inflated too, as under-inflated tyres use up to 3% more fuel.
Driving at optimum fuel efficiency is the best way to avoid frequent stops at the pump and to keep your vehicle in top shape for maximum mileage. To do this, look ahead at all times for pedestrians and other vehicles and try to anticipate how they will move. This will prevent you from slamming on the brakes or speeding excessively, which will both eat up your fuel and cause unnecessary wear and tear to your engine and components.
Routing
If you are a lead foot, it may be time to rein in your speed. Demanding your vehicle to accelerate quickly wastes fuel and forces the engine to work harder than it needs to. Typically, fuel efficiency peaks at around 50 miles per hour, so simply slowing down and reducing your highway speed can improve your gas mileage by 7% for every 5mph you decrease your speed. Another factor that can affect your fuel efficiency is the weight of your vehicle. Keeping your car clean of unnecessary items and avoiding hauling heavy cargo can increase your fuel efficiency.
Using instant feedback to encourage safe and efficient driving is an effective way to improve your driving habits and reduce your vehicle’s consumption of fuel. Studies have shown that driver’s who receive instant feedback on their mpg improve their driving by an average of 6.6%.
Maintenance
There are many ways to improve fuel efficiency, from how you drive to what you load into your vehicle. But the best way to increase your mileage is by getting regular maintenance done. Having your car serviced at the intervals recommended in your owner’s manual or by the vehicle’s maintenance light will help you avoid costly repairs that can degrade your fuel economy. According to ExxonMobil, proper maintenance can improve your fuel economy by up to 4%.
Having a clean air filter helps your engine run more efficiently. It prevents clogged or dirty filters, which can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 2%. Additionally, using the right type of fuel can significantly increase your gas mileage. Choosing gasoline with a lower sulphur content will prevent damage to your engine and exhaust system.
Using cruise control when driving on the highway can also save you gas by reducing acceleration and braking, which burns more fuel. Finally, avoiding excessive short trips and combining them where possible can make a big difference in your fuel efficiency. Aggressive driving can lower your fuel efficiency, as well, so practice gradual acceleration and coasting when you can. These simple changes can improve your fuel efficiency by as much as 3% at highway speeds and up to 5 percent around town. In addition to saving you money, improving your fuel efficiency will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions emitted by your vehicle.