How to Improve Your Fuel Economy?

If you have a gasoline powered car, now is the time to start cutting these fuel costs. One of the simplest ways to achieve this goal is to improve fuel economy. Generally speaking, fuel economy refers to the mileage that a vehicle should travel on a certain amount of fuel.
In the context of such high fuel prices, wasting natural gas is not an option. However, by implementing wise driving habits and regular car maintenance, you can increase fuel consumption by a few cents to a few dollars per gallon of gasoline.

Tips for Improvement in Fuel Efficiency

1. If you want to see an improvement in fuel economy, you should perform maintenance on your vehicle every 6 months or as recommended by the company. If any components must be replaced, please do not hesitate to do so.
2. Drive slowly:Compared to urban driving, cars have better fuel economy on highways, but only to a certain extent. Experts say that once a car reaches 50 miles per hour, the gasoline mileage will rapidly decrease, and every 5 miles per hour increase is equivalent to paying an additional $0.31 per gallon of gasoline. Driving 5 to 10 miles per hour slower than usual is equivalent to saving 7% to 14% in fuel economy.
3. Step on the pedal lightly:In addition to speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can also quickly consume gasoline, reducing fuel consumption by 10% to 40% when driving in cities and 15% to 30% on highways. In stop and go city traffic, slowing down and relaxing the brakes can save $0.45 to $1.80 per gallon of gasoline.
4. Activate cruise control:If possible, use the cruise control function to maintain a constant speed. The reason is similar to how acceleration and braking can cause a surge in exhaust gas. Cruise control can help drivers save up to 14% of gasoline mileage.
5. Avoid idling:Even sitting in a stationary car for more than 10 seconds can waste gasoline. Depending on the vehicle, idling can consume a quarter to half a gallon of gasoline per hour, and turning off the engine while waiting can save an average of $0.03 per minute.
6. Maintain tire pressure:It is estimated that under inflated tires waste approximately 1.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually. Due to environmental factors and frequent use, tires will naturally lose pressure, so regular inspections are very important. It is possible to rely on tire pressure sensors, but manually check the pressure once a month to obtain good measurement results.
7. Adjust the tires again:In addition to maintaining appropriate tire pressure, you should also check tire alignment. When the tire is unbalanced, uneven wear will occur. Improper tire positioning is equivalent to pulling the tire sideways for 102 miles every 20000 miles. Of course, this greatly reduces fuel efficiency.It is recommended to change the oil or tires every 6000 miles.
8. Replacing spark plugs: Spark plugs are necessary for starting the engine. Wear of spark plugs can reduce fuel consumption by 30%. The spark plugs manufactured by manufacturers can sustain approximately 100000 miles of driving. However, wear and tear will soon become apparent. It is wise to replace spark plugs as early as possible between 30000 and 60000 miles. If you see a sudden drop in miles per gallon, it may indicate that it's time for a replacement.
9. Replacing the air filter: Dirty or clogged air filters can hinder car performance and indirectly increase fuel consumption, especially in old cars. Every time you change the oil, the mechanic will check your air filter and ask if you want to replace it. Unless you live in dusty areas such as deserts, you only need to replace the clean filter once a year.
   Use the correct oil grade: When changing the oil, the mechanic should inform you of the recommended oil grade for your vehicle. They may also provide an alternative solution. It is best to choose a level that matches your vehicle to improve your fuel consumption. This can save you $0.04 to $0.09 per gallon.
10. Replace oxygen sensor: The oxygen sensor is located in the exhaust system of the car and monitors how much unburned oxygen is present. When there is a lack of oxygen, the mixed fuel in the vehicle will burn into rich oil, while when there is too much oxygen, the mixed fuel will burn into lean oil. If the malfunctioning oxygen sensor does not respond to excessive combustion of the fuel mixture, the driver may feel an increase in fuel consumption.
    The daily maintenance of a mechanic should be able to detect faulty oxygen sensors, and you should replace them in a timely manner. Otherwise, the oxygen sensor should be replaced every 60000 to 90000 miles.
    Solving this problem can increase your fuel efficiency by 40% and save you $0.18 per gallon at gas stations. Not to mention, sensor malfunctions can lead to harmful environmental emissions.
11. Check brake resistance: Even if the driver does not press the brake pedal, drag braking occurs when the brake is still partially pressed. The pedal seems to be a bit stuck. This situation may occur when the brake caliper is excessively worn. In most states, brake calipers are evaluated during annual inspections. They should be used throughout the entire lifecycle of the vehicle, but in reality, they typically need to be replaced every 10 years or 75000 to 100000 miles.
12. Pay attention to warning lights: There is a reason why warning lights are programmed into the vehicle - to notify the driver of the problem in order to solve it and restore normal performance of the car. If the check engine light suddenly appears on the dashboard, please go to a mechanic or auto parts store for diagnostic testing. Some potential issues may reduce fuel efficiency, such as emissions or evaporative leaks.
13. Do not fill up with high-quality gasoline: Some vehicles require high-quality gasoline, but if your car does not, there is no need to use this more expensive fuel grade to fill up the tank. The difference in mileage improvement is small, usually less than one mile, so there is no need for additional charging per gallon
14. Clean up your car: The weight of the vehicle can affect fuel consumption. Due to increased inertia and resistance, heavier vehicles use more gasoline. If you can reduce the weight of your car, it can help you save gasoline. For every 100 pounds increase, fuel efficiency decreases by approximately 1%.Clean up unnecessary things in the car. No matter how small, the combined weight of additional items will save you about $0.04 per gallon. This includes the roof cargo box, which also affects the aerodynamics of the vehicle and ultimately affects fuel efficiency. Abandoning rooftop storage space when not in use is equivalent to saving $0.09 to $0.76 per gallon.
15. Park the car in a cool place: Due to factors other than the holes in the fuel lines, gasoline may evaporate from the fuel tank. After driving on a hot day, your car engine will suffocate, making it almost impossible to prevent fuel evaporation. Covered parking is your safest choice. If you find yourself in an open-air parking lot, parking your car in a cool and shady place can help your car cool down faster and minimize fuel loss. Otherwise, filling up the fuel tank in the morning or evening when the sun is not shining and ensuring that the fuel tank cap is tightly sealed can also help reduce gas evaporation.
    In addition to fuel evaporation, parking in a cool place while waiting inside the car can help keep the vehicle cool, so you can avoid idling when the air conditioning is on.

Conclusion:

Firstly, analyze your driving situation and make necessary adjustments. Secondly, some of the techniques listed in this article will help ensure that you will not encounter any problems. Be sure to identify any issues as early as possible and adhere to the scheduled maintenance schedule.
You can upgrade to after-sales performance parts at any time, for which you can visit the TruckTok store to obtain any type of vehicle parts.