How to Get Good Gas Mileage With Your Car

You probably can't control all the factors that contribute to getting good gas mileage, but following these steps will make your fuel costs a little easier on your wallet.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Automotive Parts
• Automotive Repair Manual
• Car Oil
• Car Jacks
• Tire Gauges

1. Take care of your vehicle. Clean oil, fresh spark plugs and a well-tuned motor are more efficient than a run-down system.

2. Check your air filter. If dirty or old, replace it.

3. Run your air conditioner less.

4. Use the correct gasoline. Most cars run well on an octane rating of 87. Mostly it's just high-performance and turbocharged engines that need higher octane. If your engine is pinging on acceleration or up hills (sounds like shaking uncooked popcorn in a glass jar) use a higher octane gasoline. Check the owner's manual for your vehicle's requirements.

5. Keep your tires inflated properly. Incorrect inflation leads to rolling resistance from the tires. Most car tires should be inflated to 32 PSI.

6. Drive at an even speed, whenever possible. It's more efficient than rushing to the next traffic light and then stopping.

7. Use cruise control on the highway.

8. Choose the route with the flattest terrain and fewest stops, if you can.

9. Drive on highways instead of city streets, where practical. A vehicle moving at constant speed is more efficient than one that slows and speeds up, stops and starts.

10. Do all your driving errands at once.

11. Read the label the federal government requires on new cars the next time you shop for a vehicle. It tells a model's estimated city and highway mileage so that you can compare mileage figures for all the vehicles you consider.

12. Eliminate unnecessary cargo. Hauling heavy loads in the trunk or inside the car will lower your gas mileage.

13. Drive at 55 MPH. It saves gas.

14. Keep track of your car's mileage: if it changes drastically, follow the above steps and then go see your mechanic if you can't figure out why.

Tips & Warnings

• The bigger the car and the engine, the more gas you will use. Consider your gas budget when buying a new car.