Save Money on Gas with These Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips

With gas prices fluctuating, drivers are looking for ways to improve fuel efficiency and spend less at the pump. While purchasing a fuel-efficient vehicle is a great long-term strategy, there are many techniques you can use right away with your existing vehicle to boost gas mileage and start saving. Read on for simple fuel-saving driving tips you can put into practice today.

Accelerate and Brake Gently

Aggressive acceleration and braking significantly reduce fuel economy. Accelerating gently from a stop and easing onto highways lets you smoothly gain speed while using less gas. Anticipate stops by taking your foot off the gas early and allowing the car to decelerate on its own for as long as safely possible before braking. Time the traffic lights so you avoid unnecessary full stops. When coming to a halt, brake gently instead of abruptly. This smooth driving style maintains momentum and avoids wasting fuel to repeatedly accelerate from zero. Think of accelerating and braking as if you had a cup of coffee in your hand that you don’t want to spill. Drive as smoothly as possible.

Obey the Speed Limit

Exceeding posted speed limits decreases your fuel mileage significantly. Most vehicles reach optimal efficiency between 45-60mph. For every 5 mph over 60 mph, gas mileage drops rapidly. When you speed, more fuel is injected to maintain higher speeds than needed for typical driving. Plus, the faster you go the more wind resistance your car must overcome, wasting energy. Set your cruise control on highways to avoid unintentionally speeding over limits. When possible, stay in the right lanes where traffic moves a bit slower. Rushing from stoplight to stoplight actually increases travel times and reduces mpg. Driving the speed limit maximizes efficiency and safety.  

Reduce Idling

Idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Avoid unnecessary idling when waiting for friends, in drive-thrus, or for trains to pass. Turn your engine off if sitting more than 10-30 seconds. Restarting uses less gas than prolonged idling. Limit warm-up idling time to what your owner’s manual recommends, usually 30 seconds to 1 minute even in winter. Don’t remote start and let the car idle unattended. Use a timer when warming up on cold days. The engine warms faster being driven, so gently drive once the windows are defrosted. Avoid lucrative but wasteful habits like drive-thru coffee and leaving the car running when running quick errands. The minutes saved aren’t worth the gas wasted.

With gas prices constantly fluctuating, cutting fuel costs makes sense. Practicing fuel-efficient driving techniques like smooth acceleration and braking, obeying speed limits, and reducing idling can significantly improve your gas mileage. These tips work instantly in your existing vehicle to start saving money at the pump. Contact the experts at Highland Tire to ensure your vehicle is properly maintained for optimal fuel economy as well. With gas prices continuing to rise over time, using less gas through smarter driving reduces expenses and environmental impact. Being a fuel-efficient driver saves money with every trip.