How Can I Improve Gas Mileage In My Vehicle?
When you are considering a vehicle to purchase, one of the essential aspects you may think about is fuel efficiency. No matter what car you pick, whether it is a Chevy or not, our team from Lawrence Chevrolet wanted to share some ways to help you save at the pump. With these simple tips, you'll find yourself filling up the gas tank less often and putting more cash in your pocket.
Keep Consistent With Checking Air Pressure
One of the easiest ways to improve gas mileage is to keep your tires properly inflated. You can find the ideal range of tire pressure either on the sticker on the side of the door or by reading your owner's manual. Also, you'll get a notification on your monitoring system if your pressure drops below the recommended amount. During colder temperatures, tire pressure can drop faster, so keeping them at the right level will help a tank of gas last longer. A general rule of thumb is to check your pressure at least once a month to double-check you're not driving around with an under-inflated tire.
Check The Engine Air Filter And Replace If Necessary
Imagine the air filter like that lungs of your vehicle. With a dirty air filter, your car's engine will need to work much harder, thus decreasing performance and fuel efficiency. Just like a dirty air filter will increase your energy expenses at home, it has a similar effect in your car. It is much more difficult for air to flow into your engine when it's covered with grime or other debris. A glance at your air filter can usually give you an indication if it's time to replace it, but you can be on the safe side if you change it out every year, or in intervals of about 15,000 miles.
Opt For Lighter Hauls If Possible
Are you one of those people that seems to have everything imaginable inside their car or trunk? If so, you may not realize it is causing you the need to fill up more often. It's easy to make the connection because, according to the EPA, for every additional 100 pounds you are carrying inside your car, it reduces fuel efficiency by one percent. Make it a point to remove any necessary items that don't need to be there, and you'll find yourself saving some money.
Think About Your Driving Habits
Aggressive driving can certainly be the culprit for sucking up your gas usage. Here are some best practices to consider for optimal fuel efficiency:
-Use cruise control when traveling on the highway to avoid erratic accelerating and decelerating
-Observe the recommended speed limit- Again, according to EPA, your fuel efficiency can decrease about seven percent for every 5MPH over 60MPH
-Accelerate smoothly out of red lights and don't brake hard when approaching a stop
-Watch your idle times- if you're in a traffic jam, then you can turn off the engine if you know you'll be stalled for a while
-Don't make a trip for all individual errands. Instead, plan one trip and go when traffic is less congested
-It's not necessary to use the air conditioning at full blast excessively. If possible, roll down the windows if it's not too hot outside
Keep Your Vehicle Maintained
When you're bringing your car in for regular maintenance, you're also doing your part to improve gas mileage. Getting a tune-up and making sure you are using the recommended motor oil are can help tremendously. As mentioned earlier, maintaining the correct tire pressure is important, but you also should rotate them as well to ensure even wear. Staying proactive is the best way to go!
A Service Appointment With Lawrence Chevrolet Can Help Improve Gas Mileage
Our factory-trained technicians can do our part to save you money. You can make an appointment 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to get your car serviced at our location. We even offer express services for commonly requested services like oil changes, tire rotations, air filters, and batteries. Combined with the tips mentioned above, we can help you get the most out of every tank of gas!