It’s a common thought for vehicle owners when they pull up at the pump to refuel their vehicles, and it’s a question that seems to always stump people: “how can I get more bang for my buck at the pump and make my fill-ups last longer?”
Now, driving less would seem like the simplest answer, but unfortunately it’s not one that applies to a lot of lifestyles: you have to go to work, pick up the kids from school and run your weekly errands… all of which are going to drain your tank! Luckily, there are some ways to slow down the movement of your gas gauge’s needle that don’t require you to drive less. Take a look at a few tips, brought to you by a mechanic in Madison, TN:
Tires
- Make sure the PSI of your tires is maintained and in an optimal range! It might surprise you to learn that the balance of your tires directly contributes to your vehicle’s fuel economy—it does, and having the right PSI in all four tires is the simplest, most effective way to help ease the burden of your vehicle.
- Make sure your tires are in proper alignment at all times. Again, this will prevent your vehicle from working harder than it needs to on the road, thus lowering your overall fuel consumption.
Driving habits
- Don’t put the pedal to the metal when you’re coming off of a stop sign or stoplight! Slamming your foot down on the gas for a quick start is only going to result in quicker fuel drain in the grand scheme of things and it’s just not worth it for those few extra miles per hour off the stop.
- Take your turns properly to save on fuel by slowing into them and accelerating only when you’re out of them. Many people tend to accelerate through turns, which will get you around the turn faster, but guzzle your gas while doing so!
- Try to drive highway whenever possible—especially if you have a commute to work. City driving is plagued by starts and stops, turns and more obstacles that will work to lower your overall fuel economy. Highways allow you to stay in motion without much evasiveness, allowing your vehicle to better consume fuel in an efficient manner.
Vehicle condition
- If your vehicle has nagging issues, it could be slowing down its performance, resulting in a lower fuel economy. Make sure to keep up on regular maintenance to avoid damages and talk to your mechanic in Madison, TN about any unresolved issues.
- Have your vehicle’s fuel economy measured by a mechanic, to see if it’s within acceptable ranges. If it’s not, your mechanic can make suggestions as to how to improve it, from basic component replacements to aftermarket modifications.
Achieving optimal fuel economy is all about taking care of your vehicle and making sure your driving habits reflect your conservative mindset when it comes to fuel consumption. Work to keep your vehicle in great condition and tweak a few of your driving habits and watch as your trips to the pump become few and far between!