Getting better gas mileage is something most people are concerned about. It will save you money and also keep you from having to go to the gas station more often. However, you don't necessarily need to upgrade to a more fuel efficient vehicle just to do it. Here are some other ways to improve the gas mileage in your current vehicle.
Pay Attention to Your Driving
There are a lot of bad driving habits that can actually cause you to use up more gas than necessary. For example, driving at slower speeds will help you to get better gas mileage. If you drive on the highway a lot of the time, try to stay in the slow lane so that you can get away with driving a little slower. The faster your drive, the more fuel your car needs to go through. You should also be careful with your accelerating and braking. Try to drive slower overall so you are not constantly slamming on the brakes, accelerating, and back and forth, which puts a lot of wear on your engine and affects your fuel efficiency.
Get Regular Tune-Ups
Bringing your vehicle in for routine inspections and tune-ups is a really important part of keeping the vehicle in good shape. This helps you to find out when you have issues with the engine and other major car parts, lets you get a tune-up to continue having a vehicle that runs smoothly, and can even help with fuel efficiency. There are often minor repairs a mechanic can do that will help you get better gas mileage, such as replacing a faulty part like an oxygen sensor. This is why going in for regular maintenance is so vital.
Avoid Driving With a Lot of Heavy Weight
Driving your vehicle with tools, equipment, and materials that add to the overall weight of your car can cause you to use up more fuel. It puts stress on your car, which then requires your engine to go through more fuel just to move at normal speeds, particularly when accelerating. Try not to use your vehicle as a hauling vehicle, and when you have heavy items in your trunk, remove them as soon as you can.
Don't Overuse the Air Conditioner
While you should use your air conditioner when it is a hot day and you need to be comfortable, don't overuse it. Try not to turn it on until it is absolutely necessary or when it is warm and you have young children and pets in the car. Otherwise, try to roll down the windows instead and keep the air conditioner off. The more you use the air conditioner, the more strain is put on the engine, which uses up more fuel as you are driving.
For more information or assistance, contact a local car mechanic.
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