Step1
** Drive better **
Driving aggressively can really cost you! How much? Around 5-33%, which translates to roughly $0.19-$1.23/gallon. So avoid things like rapid acceleration and excessive braking. In other words, don't be a "speed demon!" And don't ride your brakes.
Step2
** Don't go over the speed limit **
Every time you drive faster than the speed limit, you're burning more fuel than you need to. And so, you're wasting gas and money! So don't go over it.
And if you can slow down a bit, say 5-10 MPH, then you'll save even more. How much can you save? Well it can be around 7-23% or $0.26-$0.86/gallon.
Perfect example, there's one road I take to work where the speed limit is 45. I've noticed that by going 40 instead of 45, I've gotten more out of the same tank of gas. So it really does work.
Step3
** Avoid tons of stuff in your vehicle **
By lowering your vehicle's weight, you'll get better miliage and save money. And if you carry "heavy" items, like tools for instance, then it could really be hurting you.
Just shaving off 100 lbs of stuff will improve your fuel efficiency by $0.04-$0.07/gallon. Now this may not sound like much, but it really adds up over time. And with prices continuing to rise, with seemingly no end in sight, every little penny saved is worth it.
This also applies to those of you with a roof rack. That creates drag and adds extra weight to your vehicle. Same goes for those of you who have bike racks. So if you really don't have a need for them, take them off. Or try to lower how much weight you put on there.
Step4
** Avoid unnecessary idling **
Simply put, when you're idling, you're burning fuel without getting anywhere, so it's a total waste. So if you're at a long light or stopped at a train crossing, etc for at least 30 seconds, turn your engine off.
I've done this at one intersection when I go to work. It's one of those "double" lights where the opposite direction gets to go twice before I do. And so it's a pretty long light! But since I've started doing this, I've noticed my I'm getting better miliage. I'll also do this while waiting for trains to cross, long lights, heavy traffic, etc.
Step5
** Maintain your engine **
By keeping your engine in good shape and properly tuned, you'll get better miliage. So don't put off maintenance because it'll cost you more in the long run! In fact, regular maintenance can help improve fuel efficiency by up to 4% or $0.15/gallon.
Note: If your car didn't pass an emission test, then you need to get that taken care of. Otherwise, you're burning more fuel than you need to.
Step6
** Keep your air filter clean **
An extremely clogged air filter will hamper your car's ability to perform well. In other words, it'll take more fuel to get it moving. So make sure it's pretty clean and working properly. This can help improve your fuel efficiency by up to 10%, which means you'll save up to $0.37/gallon.
Now I should point-out that Consumer Reports tested this and found that unless your air filter is very dirty, there wasn't a noticeable drop in fuel economy. Why not? Because the car's computer adjusts the air flow accordingly.
But if it's extremely dirty, then it did hamper fuel economy. So you don't necessarily need to run out and buy or replace it now. All I'm saying is you don't want it to get so dirty that it does interfere with getting the miliage you should be getting.
Step7
** Monitor your tire pressure **
By keeping your tires properly inflated, you'll improve miliage by roughly 3.3%. But if they're under-inflated, it's costing you around 4% for every PSI it's below.
This means that if your tires are under-inflated by a measely 2 PSI, then you're experiencing an 8% drop in fuel economy! So keep your tires at their required pressure to improve gas efficiency! This will save you up to $0.11/gallon.
Step8
** Keep windows closed **
When you roll down (open) your windows, you're creating unnecessary drag. And that can lower your fuel economy by up to 10%. So whenever possible, keep your windows closed.
Now if it gets hot inside the car, then you can run the air conditioner. From reports I've seen, that doesn't really use much more than if you kept the windows down. But I do suggest not running the air on max unless you absolutely have to. Or make it cooler than you really need to.
TIP: If you have a sun or moon roof, when you open it, you're creating drag. And if you keep it up and have your side or driver window(s) open too, then you're creating even more. And drag or wind resistance lowers fuel economy because your car isn't as aerodynamic as before. So I suggest keeping the sun or moon roof closed and using the air instead. This way, your car is still aerodynamic and you won't have that additional drag.
Step9
** Try to avoid backing out of parking spots **
Believe it or not, you'll actually save money if you don't have to back out first. Why? Because it takes added fuel to back out and then go forward. But if you can pull straight out, you'll save money!
So whenever you're shopping, try to find a spot where you can immediately pull straight out and go forward. That will save you the hassle of having to back out first and then drive forward. So you'll improve your fuel economy and save money.
TIP: Don't waste lots of time driving around to find these spots. That will cost you wasted gas and money. So if you see one in the immediate area, grab it! If not, then take whatever is available. Or look within a small radius, but not well beyond.
Step10
** Avoid unnecessary things **
Using things like your car's heating, air conditioning, cigarette lighter, power windows, etc can cost you up to 20% in lost fuel economy. So try to minimize or avoid them if possible.
Safety and health comes first! So I'm not saying not to use these things at all. What I am saying is try to minimize how much and how long you need to use them.
In other words, if you don't have to run the air on high, then don't. If you don't have to keep the radio or CD player on the entire time, don't. In other words, use them when necessary.
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