5 Tips for Improving Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

If you’ve owned your car for some time now, you’re conversant with the recurring fuel expenses haunting your wallet every month.

If you’ve owned your car for some time now, you’re conversant with the recurring fuel expenses haunting your wallet every month. While this is a necessary cost of car ownership, you can reduce how many times you fuel your car every month. Below, we’ll examine five practical ways to improve your car’s fuel efficiency so you can enjoy more driving hours with the same amount of fuel.

Service Your Car Regularly

Scheduling regular car servicing isn’t only about prolonging its lifespan; it’s also about enhancing fuel efficiency. When you diligently follow the recommended car maintenance schedule, you’ll more often address issues like worn-out spark plugs, clogged air filters, and faulty oxygen sensors.

Addressing these issues ensures that your car consumes less fuel while driving for an efficient fuel economy. Ensure you work with a reliable service company or a specific team for a problem they handle perfectly. For instance, you can have a Take 5 quick oil change whenever your schedule is due.

Use Air Conditioning Only When Necessary

The cool air you enjoy in your car comes at a cost. Circulating that air to every corner of your car requires a lot of energy, and your fuel generates that energy. While you can’t entirely do away with air conditioning, you at least minimize its use for moments when it is really necessary.

For instance, if your car's air conditioning system has sufficiently cooled, adjust the temperature, reduce the flow rate, or switch off the AC. If you’re renting a car for a long journey, check if the previous user adjusted the air conditioning perfectly so you don’t consume fuel you didn’t plan on using.

Lighten Your Load

You’ll most likely want to pack heavy loads when driving long distances for a long-stay trip. A long-distance drive and heavy loads in the trunk are the worst combination against your fuel consumption. Carrying extra weight means your engine has to work harder, which increases fuel consumption.

Ensure you remove unnecessary items from your trunk and only carry what’s necessary for the journey ahead. If it’s important to carry additional items, consider using a roof rack or carrier, as these can help create aerodynamic drag to reduce your miles per gallon (MPG). 

Apply a Slight Force on the Pedals

Whether you’re accelerating or braking, applying just enough force saves you fuel in the long run. Rapid acceleration and hard braking will demand more fuel into your engine for the rapid actions to be completed. If it’s not an emergency, ensure smooth, gradual acceleration, deceleration, and consistent speed whenever possible. This way, your car isn’t going to strain to keep up with the changing demands at the foot pedals.

Consider Buying a Hybrid Car

If you plan to shift to a more efficient car, a hybrid vehicle might just be your solution. While hybrids aren’t perfect, they can save significant fuel for every mile you travel. Hybrid cars enable you to fully or partially cover your journey using electric power, so you don’t rely on gas 100%. The best hybrid car will give considerably high miles per gallon, but it must be maintained well for efficient results. 

Improving your car’s fuel efficiency is a noble task that will not only save you money at the pump but also contribute to a greener environment. Applying any or all of these tips can be the change you need to start enjoying better fuel economy, regardless of your car’s design or model.