Fuel costs fluctuate all the time, but on average, people spend about $150-200 on fuel per month. The moral of the story is that fuel costs can add up over the months and years. If you want to save money, you should be more conscious of your vehicle's efficiency. Here are several ways to minimize fuel expenses and increase your car’s efficiency.
Tip #1: Watch Your Tire Pressure
Driving with improper tire pressure can increase friction and cause rolling resistance. In simple terms, your car will consume more gas when running with low tire pressure. In fact, your fuel consumption can increase by ~1% for every 1 psi below the factory-recommended psi range.
Tip #2: Remove the Load
Many people view their vehicle as a storage unit, but overloading your car can hurt your gas mileage. For every 100lbs in your car, your fuel consumption increases by approximately two percent. So, clean out any heavy or unnecessary items that may harm your car.
Tip #3: Avoid Braking Harshly
Every time you go to slam your brakes, remind yourself that it will increase your fuel consumption. Not only that, but it increases the wear and tear on your brake components too. If it is a habit, start by avoiding tailing other drivers and speeding to limit the likelihood of harsh braking.
Tip #4: Use Cruise Control When You Can
Cruise control is a wonderful function that helps your car run at a constant speed. It is great when you are on an open road or highway. When your vehicle runs at the same speed, it reduces the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) and overall acceleration. Over time, it will save you some money on fuel.
Tip #5: Don’t Idle
Many people believe that it takes more fuel to restart your car than to idle. However, it is quite the opposite. We recommend avoiding idling as much as you can.
Aside from these tips, the best way to keep your car running efficiently is by giving it the necessary maintenance. Dirty filters, worn spark plugs, and clogged fuel injectors can affect your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. If you need a tune-up to improve your MPG, don’t hesitate to bring your car to Nortex Lube and Tune.