Maximizing Your Vehicle’s Fuel Economy

Whether you’re passionate about the environment, frugal or just like being efficient with your time, most agree they’d prefer to visit fewer gas stations.
There are actually many easy tips you can implement to increase your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. They won’t take a lot of your time and most won’t cost you a penny.
Drive Smoothly
One of the biggest factors determining your car’s fuel economy is the way you drive. If you make quick decisions and brake or accelerate too often, you end up putting extra pressure on your vehicle’s engine and pay for it at the pump.  Fortunately, there are devices available that can tell you how smoothly you operate a vehicle. Either purchase a driver feedback device or download an app to your phone.
Avoid idling whenever possible. Don’t wait too long to heat up your vehicle in the morning and don’t have your car running when you’re waiting for someone at the side of the road.
Get Rid of Excess Weight
The heavier your vehicle is, the harder your engine has to work to produce your desired speed. Go through your vehicle’s interior to see if you can remove any large items. While you don’t want to get rid of things like spare tires and fluids, some people keep too many personal belongings that are simply unnecessary.
Also, do not haul cargo on your roof. This will negatively affect the aerodynamics of your car, which will in turn decrease fuel efficiency.
Properly Inflate Your Tires
You’ve probably heard this before, but underinflated tires can have a great effect on your gas usage. Check them consistently to make sure they aren’t losing air, especially if you live in an area with bad roads.
Obey the Speed Limit
Other than your own personal safety, obeying the speed limit can become beneficial to you as you won’t have to go to the pump as often. Your fuel economy stays the same up until about 80km/h, then gradually goes down after that.
Drive Less Often
This doesn’t directly lower your fuel economy, but reducing the amount of times you drive to and from work can save you hundreds per month. If you have colleagues who live by, starting a car pool is a smart way to split fuel costs between a group of people.
Public transportation is also an option. You can park for free at a subway or train station and pay a cheap fare. Not only will you save on gas, but you can also be more productive with the free time during your commute.
Finally, ask your boss if you can work remotely and call into meetings. Asking to work from home once a week or every two weeks is a reasonable request and will help you to reduce the number of visits to the gas station.