Easing the pain at the pump is simpler than most drivers assume, starting with a few tweaks to their driving habits – and of course, proper vehicle maintenance. To help you achieve better fuel efficiency, the service experts at Burns Chevy in Rock Hill have provided these helpful tips.
Adjust Your Driving Habits
- Drive conservatively.
Rapid acceleration and braking can lower fuel efficiency by 15 to 30% at highway speeds of 65 mph or greater. Coasting with your foot off the gas pedal helps minimize the need for hard braking.
- Stick to the speed limit.
Most vehicles achieve peak fuel efficiency at 50 mph, so in order to get better gas mileage, avoid speeding on the highway.
- Use cruise control.
Minimizing speed fluctuations helps to cut fuel costs, so use your cruise control when possible.
- Shift gears properly.
For manual transmissions, upshift as soon as it’s practical and use your brakes instead of downshifting.
- “Anticipate” stoplights and traffic.
Keep an eye on the road ahead to maintain your momentum when possible. For instance, if you’re approaching a red light, take your foot off the gas to slow down and give the light time to change without reaching a complete stop.
- Keep idling to a minimum.
Because your vehicle’s engine uses ¼ to ½ gallon of fuel per hour when it’s idling, it’s much more efficient (and eco-friendly!) to turn off your car and then restart it if you’ll be stationary for more than a minute or two.
- Avoid peak drive times.
The stop-and-go nature of rush hour traffic combined with the inevitable idling causes fuel consumption to skyrocket.
- Open the windows.
While this technique isn’t ideal for highway driving, turning off the AC and enjoying some wind in your hair can cut fuel costs.
Keep Your Vehicle Properly Maintained
- Don’t carry unnecessary cargo.
An extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by up to 1%, making a bigger impact on smaller cars’ fuel economy.
- Follow recommendations in your owner’s manual.
When it comes to maintenance intervals or oil/fuel type (example: regular vs. premium gas), consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
- Keep tires properly inflated.
Check your tire pressure once a month to avoid driving on underinflated tires.
- Check engine air filters regularly.
Dirty filters decrease fuel efficiency in older vehicles and impact power output in newer ones.
- Schedule service as soon as the “Check Engine” light comes on.
This is an indication that one of your car’s systems is not functioning properly – and this could cause you to pay more at the pump.
- Only use rooftop carriers when necessary.
These create wind resistance and drag, causing your engine to work harder to maintain its speed.
Schedule Vehicle Maintenance at Burns Chevrolet!
Proper vehicle maintenance is an important part of maximizing your mileage, so get to Burns Chevy in Rock Hill today! Our certified service technicians are always here to help – from routine maintenance to repairs.
To schedule service, click here!