Things You'll Need:
- Air filters
- Spark plugs
- Radiator cap
- Automotive service center appointment
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Step 1
Keep your car properly tuned to ensure the engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy while lowering emission levels. The tune-up should include the following system checks: battery, charging and starting, engine, mechanical, powertrain control (including onboard diagnostic checks), fuel, ignition and emissions. This can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Having problems corrected can improve gas mileage by as much as 40 percent.
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Step 2
Regularly check and replace dirty air filters. Clogged filters cause your car's engine to burn too much gas and lose power. Replacing a clogged filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
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Step 3
Check spark plugs and replace if necessary to prevent erosion, misfiring and fuel waste.
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Step 4
Maintain your engine's cooling system. If the system's thermostat doesn't work properly, you could be losing 1 to 2 miles per gallon. Ask about improved radiator caps that allow the cooling system to operate at higher temperatures before boiling over, thereby increasing the system's efficiency and reducing emissions.
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Step 5
Keep tires properly inflated.
