If you’re looking to save money on fuel, there are several simple yet effective driving habits you can adopt to maximize your car’s fuel efficiency. Here are 10 driving hacks that will help you spend less on gas while still enjoying a smooth ride.
1. Drive Smoothly (Avoid Rapid Acceleration and Braking)
One of the quickest ways to burn more fuel is by accelerating rapidly or slamming on the brakes. These sudden actions force your engine to work harder, using more gas than necessary.
- Hack: Aim for gradual acceleration and braking. Anticipate traffic signals and changes in speed to avoid unnecessary stops and starts.
2. Maintain a Consistent Speed
Frequent speed changes waste gas, especially when you’re on highways. Driving at a consistent speed allows your engine to run more efficiently.
- Hack: Use cruise control on highways to maintain a steady speed, which can improve fuel efficiency by up to 15%.
3. Drive at Moderate Speeds
Higher speeds increase aerodynamic drag, which reduces your fuel economy. For most vehicles, driving at speeds of 50-60 mph is optimal for fuel savings.
- Hack: Try to keep your speed under 65 mph on highways to get the best gas mileage. Each 5 mph over 50 mph can decrease fuel efficiency by about 7%.
4. Limit the Use of Air Conditioning
While air conditioning can keep you cool, it also puts extra load on your engine, leading to higher fuel consumption. Use AC sparingly, especially during city driving.
- Hack: At lower speeds, open the windows instead of using the AC. However, at high speeds, it’s more fuel-efficient to keep the windows closed to reduce drag.
5. Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Under-inflated tires cause more friction with the road, requiring your engine to work harder, which wastes fuel. Over-inflated tires can cause uneven wear, compromising fuel economy as well.
- Hack: Check your tire pressure monthly and ensure it’s at the manufacturer’s recommended level (usually found in the owner’s manual or on the doorframe sticker).
6. Lighten Your Load
The more weight you carry in your car, the more energy your engine needs to move it. This is particularly noticeable when carrying unnecessary heavy items in the trunk.
- Hack: Remove any items that aren’t needed for the journey. Also, avoid roof racks unless absolutely necessary, as they create additional drag that decreases fuel efficiency.
7. Plan Your Routes Efficiently
Driving in circles or getting stuck in traffic wastes fuel. If you can plan your route ahead of time, you can avoid congested areas and minimize the time spent on the road.
- Hack: Use GPS apps like Google Maps or Waze to avoid traffic jams and find the most efficient route. These apps can also provide real-time updates on accidents or road closures.
8. Avoid Idling for Long Periods
Idling uses fuel while your car isn’t even moving. While it’s a common belief that restarting your engine uses more gas than idling, the opposite is true—especially for short stops.
- Hack: If you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute, such as at a long light or waiting in line, turn off your engine. It saves gas and reduces wear on your engine.
9. Use Higher Gears for Highway Driving
Driving in a higher gear reduces engine RPMs and saves fuel. Keeping your engine revs lower at cruising speeds uses less gas.
- Hack: If you’re driving a manual car, shift to a higher gear as soon as possible (without over-revving the engine). In automatic cars, ensure the transmission is shifting smoothly into higher gears when driving at consistent speeds.
10. Regularly Maintain Your Car
A well-maintained vehicle is more fuel-efficient. Problems like clogged air filters, old spark plugs, or dirty fuel injectors can cause your engine to consume more fuel.
- Hack: Follow your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. Replace air filters, spark plugs, and fluids on time to keep your engine running smoothly and efficiently.
Bonus Tip: Use the Right Fuel
Using the right type of fuel for your vehicle can make a significant difference in fuel efficiency. Many vehicles are designed to run on regular-grade gasoline, and using premium fuel when it’s not necessary is just wasting money.
- Hack: Stick to the type of fuel recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.
By implementing these simple driving hacks, you can not only save money on gas but also contribute to reducing your carbon footprint. Small changes in your driving habits can have a significant impact on your wallet and the environment!
