Top 2 Ways to Improve Gas Mileage

W hen you hear about gas mileage the first time, it seems like something you will probably never have to think about and is often overlooked since people think it’s something that can’t be affected. Well, in simple terms, gas mileage is the number of miles a vehicle can go using a specific amount of fuel. Treat your car right and keep it maintained, you'll be able to drive for miles and more using up only a little fuel. The ways to improve gas mileage below can help you save money too! 

If you treat your car wrong, it will cause your car to use more fuel while only going a little while. This sort of problem grows slowly over time and only becomes apparent when it’s gone too far. The good news, however, is that it's something that can be fixed and there are also ways you can improve your gas mileage. In this article, you will learn all the most efficient yet simple things you can do to improve your gas mileage. 

Driving Habits

-Stop driving as if you're in an F1 race and slow down. Every car has its own optimal speed at which it works the best but on average the most efficient speed is between 55-65mph anything higher than that usually decreases the efficiency.

-Your driving skills directly affect your gas mileage believe it or not. Stop going so hard on the pedals, sudden acceleration and braking take a toll on your gas mileage so drive sensibly and calmly. Be aware of your surroundings, and try to maintain a steady speed, and if you think you need to break then do it, but gently. This is also just safe driving practice.

-If you’re ever sitting around in your car not doing anything, unless you're sitting in traffic, turn the engine off. Believe it or not, idling also has a negative effect on gas mileage.

-When suitable, use cruise control. As previously stated, fluctuation in speed causes your gas mileage to go down. Cruise control has the ability to keep you driving at a constant speed which is good for your gas mileage. 

-This one is less about driving but if you ever need to fuel up your car, it's better to fill it up late at night or early in the morning. Since it'll be colder at these times, the fuel will be denser and you’ll get more fuel. 

-When going anywhere, only take the things you need since additional weight also affects gas mileage. A smaller car will be able to handle less weight until it affects the gas mileage while a bigger car will be able to carry more weight.

Car Maintenance 

-Take care of your tires and routinely check their pressure. You need to make sure that your tires are properly inflated as deflated tires can negatively affect your gas mileage, especially if it is ten pounds less than before then it’ll greatly affect your gas mileage. 

-Be mindful of what oil you use for your oil change. Whether you do it yourself or get it done professionally, you should know what is being put in your car. The best motor oil is usually the thinnest viscosity oil recommended for your car.

-After an accident or even just going over a speed bump too fast can affect your alignment. A messed-up alignment messes up your car's gas mileage so after an accident or such, always check if your alignment may be off. Telltale signs would be your steering wheel being crooked even when you are driving straight, squealing tires, car veering to the side, etc. 

-The air filter is like a vacuum, it sucks in all the air and removes all the dirt but when it gets too dirty it is almost impossible for any air to go through. This is why you should always replace your air filters at least once a year or even more if you live in a more dusty environment.

-if your car's gas mileage suddenly goes bad, there's a good chance it's because of a misfiring or incomplete combustion in a spark plug. A spark plug should last you between 20,000 to 30,000 miles however don't wait for the last moment to replace your spark plugs as in the last few miles more incomplete combustions and misfires occur. 

Bottom Line 

It's good to be more mindful of your car's gas mileage and take care of it accordingly. That will ensure a long life for your vehicle and you save money.